本文节选自Four Four Two的Argentina flop, Lewa chokes, Giroud makes history and more: Five takeaways from day three of the World Cup，原作者为Ryan Dabbs

During Argentina's opening Group C clash against Saudi Arabia, the South American side had already notched four goals by half-time - however, three of them were given as offside by automated offside technology, owing to Saudi Arabia's sound defensive work.

在C组揭幕战阿根廷对阵沙特的比赛中，阿根廷在半场结束时已经攻入4球——然而，由于沙特防守功夫到家，其中3球都被半自动越位技术判罚为越位。

notch：在足球等体育比赛中表示赢得，获得。这里指攻入...球。

automated offside technology 个人认为这里原作者用的不太准确。卡塔尔世界杯采用的是半自动越位判罚技术（或半自动越位识别技术/半自动越位技术），准确应该叫做semi-automated offside technology (SAOT)

Indeed, the Asian team gambled on a high line throughout the game, a brave decision especially considering Argentina had Lionel Messi in their ranks. While the Argentine's through balls managed to penetrate Saudi Arabia's defence, nothing actually came to fruition, with offside repeatedly being called.

的确，这支亚洲球队在整场比赛中掷下豪赌。他们采用高位防守，这是个勇敢的决定，特别是对面还有梅西。虽然阿根廷人的直塞能够成功打穿沙特的防线，但实际上并没有什么用，他们反复被判越位。

high line：指高位战术，这里根据比赛实际情况译作高位防守

through ball：指直传球，直塞球

penetrate：刺穿，穿透 If something or someone penetrates a physical object or an area, they succeed in getting into it or passing through it.

come to fruition：指成功（进球得分）

Their high line ensured Saudi Arabia didn't give any space for Messi to collect the ball in those positions we have become so accustomed to seeing over the years, while Argentina's lack of pace up front also meant Herve Renard's tactics were spot on.

沙特的高位防守确保了其没有给梅西在我们熟悉的位置上制造任何接球空间，而阿根廷前场缺乏速度的劣势也表明，沙特主帅勒纳尔的战术恰到好处。

collect the ball：表示接球

spot on：准确的，恰好的

Consequently, with the automated offside technology set to be introduced across football, could these high lines become a new craze managers are set to adopt?

随着半自动越位技术在足球界的普及，这种高位战术会成为主教练们的新潮流吗?

It wouldn't be a surprise - football does work in cycles, and watching Saudi Arabia was reminiscent of defences sprinting out as soon as a player looked likely to play a pass in the early 1980s.

这并不奇怪——足球运动是周期性的，这场沙特的表现让人想起了上世纪80年代初的比赛，当一名球员看起来要传球时，防守球员就都会从自己的位置向前猛冲来造越位。

reminiscent：令人想起的 If you say that one thing is reminiscent of another, you mean that it reminds you of it.