Australia’s World Cup Dreams Shattered

Australia’s World Cup Dream is over. It was shattered this morning by a controversial penalty, given to Fabio Grosso, who crumpled to the ground over the top of a prone Lucas Neill with just eight seconds of regular time remaining in Kaiserslautern.

Francesco Totti, who was received with catcalls from the Italian spectators, stepped up and drilled the penalty home, past the diving Schwarzer, who went the right way, but could not reach the strike, which went to the his top right corner.

With the last kick of the match, the Italians had won.

The penalty has been universally described as disgraceful, it was given for a soft challenge, and while referee Luis Medina Cantelejo has been condemned for giving such a penalty so late in a crucial game, one must wonder what will be made in the coming days of what looked more like a dive than anything else from Fabio Grosso.

The better team did not win this game, and while Australia dominated large chunks of the game with weight of possession they were unable to convert that dominance into goals, or even goal scoring chances due to the steadfast defence of the Azzurri, while the Italians looked particularly dangerous when playing the game in our third of the pitch.

The game began at a furious pace, the Socceroos started very well, even without the injured Harry Kewell, (who cut a miserable figure on crutches) they controlled possession, and knocked the ball around.

But it was the Italian’s who really made the early going giving their strikers great service, while the same strikers constantly made impressive runs through the middle of the park, and after just four minutes Luca Toni hit a powerful header just wide of the post.

At the 11th minute Luca Toni burst clear taking a through ball with him, but had his shot blocked by some desperate and world class defence from Chipperfield, who was Australia’s star in this encounter, popping up everywhere at the most vital stages of the game.

Nine minutes later the Azzurri, who were showing a healthy respect for the Socceroos by playing an unusually attacking game, had a golden chance when Toni headed down into the path of Alberto Gilardino whose volley was calmly tipped over the bar by Schwarzer.

Schwarzer was once again called upon two minutes later being forced into making a miracle stop when Luca Toni, who was causing havoc, produced an exquisite turn only to see his venomous left footed strike saved by the legs of the Australian number one.

Australia became far more attacking after this and Cahill soon earned a free kick, Bresciano’s perfect delivery found Viduka, but alas the captain, as is becoming customary made little of it, heading meekly to Buffon.

The first real test for Italy came soon after when Bresciano whipped in another free kick, which was flicked on by Craig Moore, and Chipperfield drove in a powerful volley, but it was saved by Buffon, who looked suitably impressed with himself for hanging on to the ball.

The last chance of the first half once again fell to Luca Toni, who headed over the bar from just six yards out when Schwarzer’s goal clearly beckoned, and the Australians drew a collective sigh of relief, as they went into the break at 0-0.

Australia then came out a more determined side in the second half, and was more willing to attack than sit back. After some quality play from Italy, Marco Bresciano saw the ball for Australia, and made an impressive run before being tackled at the last line of defence as he was about to beat Marco Materazzi and enter the penalty area.

Materazzi was the recipient of a straight red for the Italians, given for bringing down a man who was through on goal, and it looked like Australia might have been destined to go through to the Quarter Finals.

Australia then took advantage of the extra man and stretched the Italians wide. It suddenly became all attack from the Socceroos, and did not seem to have as many true chances as they should have had.

Then at the 59th minute, Scott Chipperfiled produced a brilliant run and drilled a hard shot in, but Buffon parried the effort away, and in the ensuing scramble Tim Cahill, had his shot blocked by the errant hand of Mark Viduka, who was visibly tired or just unfit and should have been substituted possibly with Skoko or Thompson.

Schwarzer was called upon again, in the 66th minute, to tip a free kick from Pirlo over the bar, the Australian keeper looked surprised that the shot was fired in and quickly set about getting his team ready for the corner. At the 81st minute mark, John Aloisi was finally injected into the game for Mile Sterjovski, and his effect was immediate.

Australia again showed confidence making the play for the rest of the game, and had several more chances. Tim Cahill headed over the bar from a corner, and then Marco Bresciano hit a dipping left foot effort just over the goal of Buffon.

One minute later John Aloisi put in a great cross, which Viduka failed to fully react to and as a result, Buffon was able to dive on the ball, before Viduka could hit the shot.

The match was now petering toward extra time, and the Aussies seemed to think that the goal that was so elusive would come then, and perhaps complacency got the better of them thinking that the Italians could not score.

However, thanks to Totti and the referee they did. It was a cruel twist of fate for Lucas Neill, who had been having a stellar world cup, and a bitter end for the Australian’s who could do nothing but smile false smiles after all was said and done.

The players can be proud though, for portions of the game Australia dominated the three time world Champions with a display of controlled attacking football, and we have truly announced our arrival on the world stage, it was just a shame the Socceroos were robbed by dreadful officiating.

ITALY: Gianlugi Buffon; Gianluca Zambrotta, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Cannavaro (captain), Fabio Grosso; Simone Perrotta, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso; Alessandro Del Piero (Francesco Totti, 75), Alberto Gilardino (Vincenzo Iaquinta, 46), Luca Toni (Andrea Barzagli, 56).

AUSTRALIA: Mark Schwarzer; Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Scott Chipperfield; Vince Grella, Jason Culina, Luke Wilkshire, Tim Cahill, Marco Bresciano, Mile Sterjovski (John Aloisi, 81); Mark Viduka (captain).

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