This is an interesting World Cup where both the World Cup Champion and runner-up were eliminated in the first round amidst much controversy. While I was certain that France will be (and should be) eliminated, I wasn’t so sure that ShItaly would be.
When Italy won the World Cup in 2006, I hated them so much that I promised myself I’ll gloat whenever Italy losses a match or eliminated from the competition. I had thought they didn’t win by their skills but by a lot of acting. If I recalled correctly, I formed that impression after Italy beat Australia in a match by a injury time penalty in 2006. I felt Grosso has ‘dived’ in the penalty area and that penalty was not justified. The impression was further reinforced when Materazzi caused Zidane to be expelled from the finals.
Thus, when Italy won the World Cup in 2006, I promised myself I’ll curse them for every match they play and I would rejoice greatly whenever they lose. I was adamant they weren’t qualified to be champions even though a friend has reminded me that ‘the fortunes of the soccer is such’ and that Italy fully deserved the championship as it was cheated of a goal against South Korea during the 2002 World Cup. (I checked up on that and noted that against South Korea, the Spaniards also had two legitimate goals chalked off. Bleah!)
Yet, as I watched Italy getting eliminated before my own eyes, I couldn’t find the anger to vehemently write a blog post to condemn them the same way I did for France. No matter how badly Italy has performed in this World Cup, the last 10 minutes in that match against Slovakia gave me a new found respect for the Azzurri. While it maybe too late for the former champions, they had certainly played with more spirit than the French. It was do or die, and they had played that 10 minutes as if it was the last 10 minutes they would ever play.
It seems to me the fate is against them that day. I can’t remember the exact minute, but some time before the second Slovakian goal, an Italian attempt seems to have brought the ball passed the goal line but it cannot be determined because it never hit the ground to indicate where it’s actual position was. Then there was the offside called against Quagliarella, which is disputable since his feet were in the same line as the Slovakian defenders and just a part of his torso was nearer to the Slovakian goal posts. In my opinion, I have seen worse and no offside was ruled by the officials.
Whatever the case is, the World Cup now moves into the second stage. The Round of 16 includes:
1. Uruguay v South Korea, 2. USA v Ghana, 3. Argentina v Mexico, 4. Germany v England, 5. Netherlands v Slovakia, 6. Brazil v Chile, 7. Paraguay v Japan and 8. Spain v Portugal
May the best team win!
