June 26 2006

It really is unbelievable how a gutsy Italian win can rankle journalists and commentators everywhere.

Look around the web and at broadsides tomorrow and you will find tall tales of Australian heroism, their grit and wit, their strength and courage and, of course, inevitably how all that failed in the face of dour Italy, an Italy who were not only lucky but were perpetrators of grand theft.

Of course, all of this is rubbish. Italy were the ones who were the real heroes. Reduced to ten men six minutes into the second half after a scandalous red card for Marco Materazzi, Italy produced a masterclass in defending. They thwarted Australia time and time again and despite being a man short they played valiantly.

When the underdog does not triumph, commentators should have at least the decency to take their hats off to the top dog.

So here goes. Italy were full value for their win. The penalty was a legitimate one, Francesco Totti showed nerves of steel in converting it and Australia did not deserve anything from a game that they held a numerical advantage in.

Guus Hiddink, who is a first class coach and hypocrite, toiled in the press-conference and attacked Italian football’s aesthetic appeal.

“We tried to play another style, a style that is more attractive for the spectators to see but that is their style. The Italians wanted to play defensively, they love to play with a wall - they don’t think about attractive football, they just think about the result,” moaned Hiddink.

Yawn. Before Materazzi was sent off, Italy had tested keeper Mark Schwarzer with brilliant shots. Luca Toni headed inches wide and later managed to swivel and release a shot that the goalkeeper just saved; while Alberto Gilardino forced the keeper into making a save from a dipping shot.

Even when reduced to ten men, Vincenzo Iaquinta could have given Italy the win from open play had he been more venomous with his shot.

Hiddink’s post-match broadside is really rich. This is coming from a man, remember, who has based his team philosophy on physical fitness and stamina. His South Korea side were tireless as were his Australian side. Hiddink is undoubtedly a brilliant coach, perhaps the best in the world. He manages to get the most out of his side as he makes them play to their full potential.

But was his Australian side really attractive to watch? Irrepressible and fit, yes, but attractive?

Italy were passing triangles around the Aussies at times. While Hiddink’s men were great in the build-up they looked clueless as to how to strike the killer blow - something that Schwarzer — whose post-match reflection was very sensible — admitted.

“The problem was we didn’t score a goal and, with the extra man after the sending off we should have taken our chance,” said Schwarzer.

When Italy lost to South Korea in 2002, it was due to some extremely controversial and bizarre officiating. True, Italy did not help their cause by missing chances and playing defensively, but Byron Moreno that day made atrocious decisions.

Hiddink was obviously elated at South Korea’s triumph. But he ventured to even give advice to Italy when he said: “Italy should look at themselves and their shortcomings rather than the referee’s.” Not content to stop there, Hiddink continued in his post-match indulgence by saying that he was “very happy to hear Italian players had trashed the locker-room after the defeat to Korea.”

True, Italy did not help their cause by doing so. Also true, that Luciano Gaucci, owner of Perugia, looked an imbecile when he sacked South Korean striker Ahn-Jung Hwan for having the audacity to score against Italy.

But Hiddink’s smugness smacked viciously of arrogance. Therefore, when he complains about the penalty decision today — which by the way was a correct decision — it really does make one laugh.

But in addition to the laughter, Italy have some serious thinking to do as well. Their finishing left a lot to be desired and Toni needs to find his 31-goal-season form.

The win today, however, was one that will bring the team closer together. The Azzurri defended well and fought until the end. And, whether anyone in the Italian camp publicly admits it or not, they will sleep soundly tonight not only because of reaching the quarter-finals but also by knowing that they exacted revenge on smug and bitter Guus Hiddink.

-Hasan Saiyid
For more insight, opinion and anything to do with Italy check out Hasan Saiyid’s Italia focus section on his site: http://www.totalsoccer.ca