Previous Encounters:
This is the first time Italy and Australia have met.
The Match:
Australia started with a good shape and made it hard for Italy to make an early opening;
although they did have a couple of chances.
In the 20th minute, Mark Schwarzer tipped one such chance over the bar
from Alberto Gilardino; after a header down by Luca Toni.
Then two minutes later, Schwarzer, diving the wrong way, saved Luca
Toni's turn and shoot attempt; with his foot.
Gianluigi Buffon had a slight scare on the half hour when he didn't
stop Scott Chipperfield's shot properly and Mark Viduka almost got to the ball before the
Italian regained his composure.
Luca Toni, still looking for his first World Cup goal, was again
denied a couple of chances by some swift Australian defending. No easy ride for the
Italians.
Half-time: (0:0).
The second-half started the way the first ended, with Luca Toni
missing another chance by shooting over the bar.
Italy were reduced to ten men when Marco Materazzi was shown a
straight red, in the 50th minute, for a challenge that caught both Marco Bresciano and
Gianluca Zambrotta.
The one thing consistent about this World Cup is that the referees are
inconsistent. Talk about
joke referees.
Again the balance of play is destroyed as Andrea Barzagli replaced
Luca Toni to compensate for the 'red card'.
The biggest cheer, from the Italian fans, came fifteen minutes before
the end of normal time when Francesco Totti came on for Alessandro Del Piero.
As the game approached extra-time, Guus Hiddink looked on smugly; as
he knew he still had two substitutions to make.
As the seconds of injury time ticked out, Italy were awarded a penalty
when Lucas Neill tried to tackle too early and missed the ball; allowing Fabio Grosso to
fall over him.
Francesco Totti held his nerve at the spot and Italy are through.
Final Score:
Italy 1 - Australia 0
Goalscorers:
1:0 Francesco Totti (93)
Teams
Italy: (Captain Fabio Cannavaro)
1 Gianluigi Buffon; 3 Fabio Grosso, 5 Fabio Cannavaro, 19 Gianluca
Zambrotta, 23 Marco Materazzi; 8 Gennaro Gattuso, 20 Simone Perrotta,
21 Andrea Pirlo; 7 Alessandro Del Piero, 9 Luca Toni, 11 Alberto
Gilardino.
Australia: (Captain Mark Viduka)
1 Mark Schwarzer; 2 Lucas Neill, 3 Craig Moore; 4 Tim Cahill, 5 Jason Culina, 13 Vince
Grella, 14 Scott Chipperfield, 20 Luke Wilkshire, 21 Mile Sterjovski, 23 Marco Bresciano;
9 Mark Viduka.
Substitutions:
46 Mins (Italy) - 15 Vincenzo Iaquinta on for 11 Alberto Gilardino
55 Mins (Italy) - 6 Andrea Barzagli on for Luca Toni
75 Mins (Italy) - 10 Francesco Totti on for 7 Alessandro Del Piero
81 Mins (Australia) - 15 John Aloisi on for 21 Mile Sterjovski
6 Yellow
Cards:
23 Mins - Vince Grella (Australia)
29 Mins - Fabio Grosso (Italy)
49 Mins - Tim Cahill (Australia)
61 Mins - Luke Wilkshire (Australia)
89 Mins - Gennaro Gattuso (Italy)
90 Mins - Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy)
