Marcello LIPPI (ITA) We were concerned about their high-tempo game and their tireless running, and because of that, we treated them with a lot of respect. We contained them very well in the first half and carved out three clear chances for ourselves. They had no chances to speak of. After the break, I brought on (Vincenzo) Iaquinta to speed things up a bit, but then we went down to ten men.
After that, the quality of our organisation and our spirit saw us through. We passed the ball well out of defence. Then at the end (Fabio) Grosso was superb and (Francesco) Totti perfect in tucking away the penalty. Let's hope that gives him a lift. He had trouble lasting the distance against the Czechs, and that's why I gave him a breather today. I intended bringing him on when the match had settled down and that's what I did.
Guus HIDDINK (AUS) Im very disappointed with the loss, coming as it did as a result of a last-gasp goal, but I'm very proud of the way my players performed throughout the tournament and particularly against Italy. We started off saying to ourselves that we wanted to avoid penalty-kicks, but as things unfolded we would have taken them. We wanted to play attractive, spectacular football, and we did. But in contrast to the Italians, we werent lethal enough in front of goal. The team tried their hardest and we can have no regrets.
Players' Quotes
Gianluigi BUFFON (ITA), Man of the Match
I thought I played well even though I had less to do than in the previous match against the Czech Republic. I did well on the few occasions I was needed. I never thought the Australians would score, but in the second half I didn't think we would either. Were a bit tired mentally, especially me as a goalkeeper with not very much to do. The events of Korea/Japan 2002 flashed before my eyes. I didnt have the courage to watch (Francesco) Totti's penalty, not because I didn't have faith in him, but because I was so nervous. I didn't think he'd try a chip shot because he's too clever to do something like that at such a moment. We think we can go all the way to the Final in Berlin, that's our dream.
Francesco TOTTI (ITA)
Today we showed that our fitness levels are good and we have the right mentality to go a long way. To get results you have to use your head and we did today. I had no intention of trying a chip shot with the penalty, I was just concentrating on scoring. (Marcello) Lippi came to see me at two this afternoon and explained why he was leaving me out. I have no problem with him. He showed faith in me and picked me for the squad. I respect his decisions. Im fit and ready for the next matches.
Alberto GILARDINO (ITA)
There's great desire to do well. Suspensions and injuries arent a problem because the squads big and well do anything to stay in the tournament.
Luca TONI (ITA)
We played very well in the first half and had four or five chances. We started well in the second half but then had the sending-off. Australia had most of the possession but we never stopped believing.
Vincenzo IAQUINTA (ITA)
I came on and the team were immediately in difficulty due to (Marco) Materazzis red card. That made everything more difficult and the balance of the game was upset. In any event we defended very well. I was hoping we would win inside 90 minutes and we never stopped believing. Totti was very calm for the penalty, I knew he'd score. Were a great team in that 20 of the 23 squad members have appeared. Team spirit is the key to everything, and were a good team aiming for Berlin.
Andrea BARZAGLI (ITA)
I saw great team spirit this afternoon and a lot of happy faces at the end. As Francesco Totti took the penalty I thought of all of us, because you dont now what to expect from him. I was very excited when the coach told me I was going on, but I had to contain myself as its part of the game. A last-minute win is a fantastic feeling.
Gennaro GATTUSO (ITA) They didnt have a single shot on goal and the feeling was that theyd never score. Its very satisfying to be one of the best eight teams in the world after everything thats happened in our country. Id rather meet Ukraine than Switzerland (in the next round) because the Swiss are better.
Fabio GROSSO (ITA)
We can look forward now. Im very happy to be part of this squad. I was desperate for us to score in normal time because we were down to ten men. I dont know what wouldve happened if it had gone to extra time.
Marco MATERAZZI (ITA)
Im very disappointed I cant play in the next game. When I looked into the referees eyes I knew it was useless to protest. I didnt want to inflame the situation any further so I just walked towards the tunnel. I dont think the referee had it in for us though.
Still, Im delighted with the result and Francesco Tottis goal. I could only hope my team-mates would come through - and they did. (Andrea) Barzagli had a great game, hats off to him. We played well as a unit in the first half, but it was obvious wed suffer with only ten men. Luckily Francesco (Totti) kept his nerve, and I have to say he played very well when he came on. Our team has tremendous will - we go onto the pitch convinced well win. We need to keep our team spirit if were to claim the ultimate prize.
Mark VIDUKA (AUS):
Im very disappointed because I felt we dominated the game. Losing is an absolute nightmare. The Italians were very solid in defence and played to their strengths. That said, I could see that they were very tired by the end of the game, especially because they had to play with a man less. If it had gone into extra time we would have won, because our greatest asset is our fitness.
Mark MILLIGAN (AUS):
We are very disappointed, because we gave everything and we really threw everything into attack. The end was a complete shock, it was like a knockout blow. The World Cup has been the greatest festival of football ever, and weve enjoyed every minute of it.
Scott CHIPPERFIELD (AUS):
This has really hit us hard. We had a few good chances to put ourselves into the quarter-finals. Unfortunately we didnt have the luck we needed. But overall we can be more than pleased with our performance. We are proud of the way we played and of our fantastic fans.
Stan LAZARIDIS (AUS): It was a bitter defeat. But thanks to our terrific displays the world has taken notice of Australian football. We could have won, and after the game the Italians congratulated us on our great performance. It was an unforgettable experience, the way the whole country got behind us at the World Cup.
John ALIOSI (AUS):
It is hard to have to go out of the tournament in this way. After the goal we had no chance to try and come back again. It was only in the dressing room afterwards that what happened really sank in. We have to put this defeat behind us quickly and be proud of what we have achieved here. The whole of Australia is proud of us. We have shown that we can play better than the Italians and that we can hold our own with Brazil.
Tim CAHILL (AUS): We played for our lives. What happened in the last minute was crazy. I feel completely shattered. Everyone was able to see how well we can play.
Mark SCHWARZER (AUS):
Its hard to lose such a gripping game through a penalty. Despite the defeat I love this game and am thrilled to be a professional footballer. We had a great chance to reach the quarter-finals but we didnt take it. Guus Hiddink is a fantastic manager. Australia needs to have a European coach in the future too, so that we can hold our own with top European teams. In future the world will not underestimate Australian football.
โพสต์
บันทึกไม่สำเร็จ