The Hindu : Sport : Terrific Toni bang on target for Italy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 02, 2006

Sport

Sport

Terrific Toni bang on target for Italy

Jon Brodkin© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

Hamburg: Italy has suffered a dark period since losing the final of Euro 2000 but is emerging again into the light. A semifinal against Germany awaits after it overcame Ukraine on Friday and memories of its first-round exit at Euro 2004 and defeat by South Korea two years earlier are starting to fade. It takes on the host on the back of a 23-game unbeaten run. One of those matches was a 4-1 win over Germany in March, though it will expect a tougher test from Jürgen Klinsmann's team on Tuesday.

This victory was not spectacular and the scale of it flattered Marcello Lippi's team after Ukraine's rally early in the second half, but good goalkeeping and good fortune helped at key moments. Two sharp saves from Gianluigi Buffon and a goalline clearance from the impressive Gianluca Zambrotta kept Italy ahead before Luca Toni scored the first of his two goals.

Italy's destiny

A sense of Italian destiny was completed when the bar came to its rescue at 2-0 and it means the only goal it has conceded at this World Cup has been an own-goal. Progress here will greatly lift Italian pride after earlier disappointments and the scandal gripping the domestic game, and the workmanlike slant to most of its display will bother no one there.

A lack of killer instinct cost Italy dear against South Korea four years ago but it could not be accused of similar failings here. From five meaningful opportunities it scored three goals. Toni can look ungainly at times but the Fiorentina striker made no mistake with two chances from close range to break his duck at this tournament.

Others, besides Buffon, played important parts. Zambrotta scored an early goal with the aid of poor goalkeeping, set up the third and cleared off the line in between. Gennaro Gattuso was eye-catching in midfield, breaking up Ukraine's play and using the ball soundly. There were flashes of brilliance from Francesco Totti, who improved after giving away too many balls early on. It was his cross that Toni headed in amid awful marking at a vital moment.

Good save

Less than 60 seconds earlier Buffon had saved well from Oleg Gusev, then Zambrotta intervened when Maksym Kalinichenko sent the loose ball goalwards. That came during Ukraine's most dangerous period of the match, with Buffon earlier pushing a downward header from Andriy Gusin on to a post. The keeper also made crucial saves early against the Czech Republic and his part in Italy's progress should not be overlooked.

Having defeated West Germany in the final of the 1982 World Cup, Italy will hope for similar success against the host in Dortmund, when it may have Alessandro Nesta back in defence. Klinsmann's team is likely to pose a more consistent threat than Ukraine, which was poor in the first half, enjoying plenty of possession but never threatening to equalise Zambrotta's early strike. Andriy Shevchenko did not pose the danger Italy may have feared from his exploits at Milan, getting scant service in surely his last World Cup game. He blew kisses to celebrating Italy supporters at the end, saying farewell as he prepares for a new career at Chelsea.

Avoidable goal

Ukraine will feel the early goal it conceded was avoidable. Zambrotta took advantage of a Ukrainian slip, cut in from the right and hit a low shot which Oleksandr Shovkovskiy should have pushed wide rather than into his net. Yet Italy rarely looked like building on that before the interval, wasting promising counter-attacking positions.

It was when it was at its weakest in the second half that it decided the match, Toni following his header by clipping the ball into an unguarded net after a good burst and cross from Zambrotta. Only penalties and a golden goal have seen off Italy at World Cups since 1986. It may feel luck is with it this time.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport