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| June 27, 2006 | Tuesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 30, 1427 |
Dubious last-gasp penalty sees 10-man Italy through
Italy 1 .......... Australia 0
KAISERSLAUTERN, June 26: Francesco Totti scored a contentious penalty in the last minute of stoppage time to give 10-man Italy a 1-0 win over Australia in the World Cup second round on Monday.
Totti blasted home the penalty after defender Fabio Grosso had tumbled over Lucas Neill's challenge.
Forward Totti, who came on as a substitute before striking the decisive final kick of the game, told reporters: “We suffered for long periods of the match but in the end it was the whole team that won this match because Australia were a strong side.
“Now I think we can go a long way in this tournament.”
Australian striker Mark Viduka summed up their mood. “I think we dominated the match for many parts and with an extra player it made it easier for us but it's a really bad way to go out,” he said.
“They had their chances too but it was not to be. We're obviously happy we've got this far but so disappointed to go out in the fashion we did.”
Italy, eliminated by South Korea in the last 16 four years ago, were forced on to the backfoot throughout the second half after being reduced to 10 men on 50 minutes, defender Marco Materazzi harshly shown a straight red by Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo for bringing down Marco Bresciano.
His dismissal took the total number at the tournament to 24.
The previous record was 22 in France in 1998.
A closely-fought first half was just shaded by Italy, although the Socceroos were far from overawed in their first knockout game at the finals, despite missing the injured Harry Kewell and the suspended Brett Emerton.
Guus Hiddink's side made a confident start, keeping possession for the opening two minutes in a patient build-up involving some 25 passes before Marco Bresciano's cross was nodded wide by Mark Viduka.
Italy replied immediately with recalled striker Luca Toni, yet to break his duck at the tournament, rising above a static defence to nod Alessandro Del Piero's left-wing cross narrowly wide.
Toni's height was giving centre backs Craig Moore and Lucas Neill a few problems and recalled Australia keeper Mark Schwarzer twice came to his side's rescue with two good saves in as many minutes.
Alberto Gilardino forced Schwarzer to tip over his rising effort, the keeper following up in Italy's next attack by blocking Toni's low shot on the turn with his legs.
Australia countered with Scott Chipperfield testing Gianlugi Buffon for the first time.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi beefed up his attack for the second half, replacing Gilardino with Vincenzo Iaquinta but was forced to re-jig again after Materazzi's dismissal, sacrificing Toni for defender Andrea Barzagli.
Chipperfield stung Buffon's gloves again, while Tim Cahill headed over the bar when well placed from a corner.
Scorer: Italy — Francesco Totti 90+4 penalty.
Halftime: 0-0, Attendance: 46,000.
Teams:
ITALY (4-3-3): 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 23-Marco Materazzi, 5-Fabio Cannavaro, 3-Fabio Grosso; 20-Simone Perrotta, 21-Andrea Pirlo, 8-Gennaro Gattuso; 7-Alessandro Del Piero (10-Francesco Totti 75), 9-Luca Toni (6-Andrea Barzagli 56), 11-Alberto Gilardino (15-Vincenzo Iaquinta 46).
AUSTRALIA (4-5-1): 1-Mark Schwarzer; 23-Marco Bresciano, 2-Lucas Neill, 3-Craig Moore, 14-Scott Chipperfield; 13-Vince Grella, 5-Jason Culina, 4-Tim Cahill, 21-Mile Sterjovski (15-John Aloisi 81), 20-Luke Wilkshire; 9-Mark Viduka.
Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain).
Linesmen: Giraldez Carrasco and Medina Hernandez (both Spain).—Reuters
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