"The Soccer Match" (Past Perfect or Past Perfect Continuous)

Before the game started, the players __________ (warm up) for an hour.

• By the time the referee blew the whistle, the fans __________ (arrive) at the stadium.

• The coach __________ (plan) the game strategy for weeks.

• The team __________ (practise) their penalty kicks before the match.

• After the first half, the score was tied because neither team __________ (score) any goals.

• The star player __________ (injure) his ankle in the last game, so he couldn’t play.

• They __________ (talk) about their tactics for so long that they almost missed the kickoff.

• By the time the second half started, the weather __________ (change) to heavy rain.

• The crowd cheered loudly right after the home team __________ (score) the first goal.

• Before the match started, the referee __________ (check) the field for hours to see if there were any problems.