What did everyone think of today's game Italy vs Australia?

Question

If you're going to give me a stupid or offensive answer DON'T BOTHER!!!

Answer 1

Man, listen to all these cry babies. I have seen so many bad calls this world cup. We can start with the red card today....that was not deserved. So, when Italy were playing with ten men, it was fair on a bad call? Yet, the strong Italian defense kept them in the game and Australia couldn't do anything. Then in extra time, the same ref, with the same bad call to the Italians, calls one on Australia. Boo hoo! Give me a break! The Australian should have never gone down to the ground....if he were smart he wouldn't have and the penalty would not have been drawn. It's simple as that. But because he did go down, it gave Italy the chance. It wasn't a dive, he did lose his balance, but because the Australian went down, it appeared harsher then it was. Italy was the clear winner of this match from the beginning.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: For all those defending Australia.........why don't you ask the other's in their group about dirty, cheating play? Australia has been one of the dirtiest playing teams in this tournament. What goes around comes around.


FORZA ITALIA!!!!!

Answer 2

Although the result of last night's game was by no means a reflection of Australia's performance in the World Cup, I have to say that the penalty was fair. Don't get me wrong, I was going for the aussies the whole game, but a penalty is a penalty.
I do however think that Australia was the better team for the majority of the game, and it was a real shame that they went down like that. I mean, had there been 2 minutes of extra time instead of 3, the result would have been much different.
For those italians out there defending your team to the death, even though your team is really good, you have to admit that the aussies gave them a run for their money, and I bet that more than once you doubted whether the italians would win or not.
Overall, good game, but bad result.
Oh, and just in case for those of you who don't know that much about football (soccer), when a foul is awarded inside the box, it's 'always' a penalty, not a free kick. And the intentions of the player don't matter. If you go for the ball and hit the player instead without touching the ball, it counts as a foul always.

Answer 3

A great game. Italy defended superbly today and are to be congratulated on that. As for whining well Italy does that well also. We lost the result today but with grace. We are happy Australians and very proud of our boys and their performance. I unlike others do not think the penalty was warranted. A free kick sure, but a PK no way in heck. If you watch the replay Lucas Neill's hands and legs do not come in contact with the ball or player as such to deserve the call that followed. I wish it had gone to extra time, that would have been a fitting outcome, irrespective of who won in the end.
To the poster above I believe it was the Italian De Rossi who is the player who opened up the face of an opponent. Dirty players, the Australians you say, that's the pot calling the kettle black. Bad losers are intolerable but bad winners...no words for that. I have followed the Italians, outside of my Socceroo's for as long as I can remember watching my first International game. I lost respect for some today. I thought they were above those theatrics and tactics. I was wrong.
I don't dwell on the loss for us, we have so much to look forward to, I am just very sad and disappointed that it happened the way it did. This certainly has been a funny old WC and the spotlight has not been on the players.

Answer 4

Well it was a disappointing end to a good game.

Australia was attacking and attacking but could not get past the superb Italian defence.

Hiddink was coaching the game like it was going to extra time. He hadn't yet changed the lineup except for adding Aloisi. With cards up his sleeve like Kennedy and Skoko, I expected changes in extra time.

You can argue for and against that penalty, but 1 thing is for sure.
If the penalty wasn't awarded, I'm sure Italy wouldn't have complained, it was a 50-50 at best.

The game deserved the extra time to decide who was the better team, and then it would've been much easier for us Aussies to take.

Congrats to Italy anyway, I hope they go all the way.

Answer 5

"Bocaboy" and especially "someone who knows soccer" have made great comments.

Who KNOWS about soccer knows that the penalty kicks was legitimate: the Australian player was an obstacle for Grosso's run, and in the penalty area obstruction is awarded with penalty kick (because the Australian obstructed a player running on goal).

Who KNOWS about soccer knows that Materazzi's red card was absurd: Materazzi hit Zambrotta's leg and did not touch Bresciano at all! A yellow card (for dangerous play) would have been already excessive (check the video in the official FIFA site). So playing 10 men for 40min. was an unjust advantage given to Australia.

Who KNOWS about soccer knows that Australia played a good game, but nothing incredible. In fact, in the first half, Mark Schwarzer (Australia gk) made a couple of great saves on Toni and Gilardino plus a header from Toni was just wide. Buffon had only one save on a weak kick from Chipperfield (30 min.)
In the second half, with the Italians with a man down, Gattuso missed an assist on Del Piero (19 min), Iaquinta shot weakly (42 min.), Pirlo missed a shot on Totti's assist (45 min) while Australia (with an extra man) brought the only treat with Chipperfield (14 min) and nothing else to remember.

So, at the end, Italy has won because of their good defense and their good counter-attacks. Australia played with 5 middle-fielders but did not capitalize their ball possession: their attack was weak and the chances of scoring were greater for the opponents.

Answer 6

I think Italy didn't deserve the result. But you may argue about the penalty kick. I just think Australia should have won the game. Italy i think was very lucky to get a penalty kick at the last seconds of the game.

Answer 7

I thought that it was extremely cruel on Australia to lose like that. C'mon, 30 seconds and they would have gone into extra time. If it hadn't been for the Aussie number 2.... Anyway, the Aussies have shown us what they are made of (against Brazil & the like) and hope they come up with a better performance in South Africa 2010.

Answer 8

Finally... the whole game the ref was against Italy (An Italian defender even got a Red card out of nothing)... it's only fair that at the end they get the ref on their side....

Answer 9

tough call indeed,however if you don't capitalise on opportunity and fail to nail the net,your never gonna win. australia like italy had their chances prior to hand neither capitalised ,however italy despite1 man down,made that slick move on the outer flank in the dying stages,soaked up the penalty,nailed the goal.
.game over.
italy are a geniune top 8 team(unlike usa ranked 5th)
australia deserve to be top 16 atleast .
lets hope fifa gets this right atleast.

Answer 10

It was a good game, both teams were almost equal. But, I found myself to be keeping an eye on ref more than on the game, like whether is he going to blow a whistle at right or wrong moments. I guess, ref are getting a bad buzz this year. They will be more watched over by us than our 11 rays of sunshine whoever those are.

Answer 11

They did get lucky althrough they played very well the first half! The red card given to Materazzi was stupid in my opinion and the penalty kick was rightly given.... The Aussies did play good but what can you do, the better team won and that's just the way it had to be!