ITALY'S WORLD CUP RUN ENDS EARLY

Slovakia

3

:

2

Italy

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Highlights

Today in South Africa, Italy ended there there Cup run as they fell 3-2 to Slovakia who has advanced to the the second round and left the Italians bowing there head in shame after a terrible cup run. This was the first time in Italian history that Italy finished in last in there group and the second time Italy has not past the group stage (last time was in 1974). "I take full responsibility," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "If the squad went out with fear in their legs and hearts it means the coach didn't prepare the match well tactically or psychologically."

Vittek scored the first 2 goals of the game for Slovakia to give them a 2-0 lead with 20 minutes to go. But Di Natale would respond 10 minutes later (81st) to cut the lead in half. Then in the 84th Fabio QUAGLIARELLA scored to tie the game right? But the answer is NO due to a questionable off side call. That would lead to another Slovakia goal by Kopunek to give them a 3-1 lead. Quagliarella who scored in added time but that would be as close as they would get as the Cup champs got eliminated with a 3-2 loss. "Slovakia and New Zealand are teams worth respecting but nothing more and if we can't beat at least one of them it's only fair that we go home," said injured goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Group F			MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	+/-	Pts
	Paraguay		3	1	2	0	3	1	+2	5
	Slovakia		3	1	1	1	4	5	-1	4
	New Zealand		3	0	3	0	2	2	0	3
	Italy		3	0	2	1	4	5	-1	2

FIFA.com

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Schedule

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Standings

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Italy Overview

NEW ZEALAND GIVES ITALY THERE 2ND STRAIGHT DRAW

Italy 1-1		New Zealand Final

Today in South Africa, Italy dominated another game but once again had to settle for a 1-1 draw against the underdogs New Zealand."We're just sorry we didn't win a match we could have," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "If we didn't win against New Zealand it's our fault. Once again the opponent scored on their first chance."

"We were able to control the game after that, but this was a match we should have won."Smeltz scored the opening goal for New Zealand and then De Rossi was pulled down in the box by Smith which gave Italy a penalty shot. Vincenzo Iaquinta scored on the penalty shot to tie the game. But the real reason why New Zealand tied was because of their Goaltender Mark Paston. Who made saves that any other goalie wouldn't have been able to save.

"I think that stopped the nation," New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said. "It's the most incredible result we've had across the board. As a football coach, it's way above anything we've achieved in the history of the game.We are always daring to dream. At the World Cup anything is possible -- we've seen some strange results -- but nothing as big as that one."Italy's next game will be the 24th of June against Slovakia.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

STATS:

Italy		New Zealand
23	Shots	3
15	Corner kicks	0
0	Yellow cards	3
0	Second yellow card and red card	0
0	Red Cards	0
57%	Possession (%)	43%

Standings:

	Team	MP	GF	GA	Pts
	PAR	2	3	1	4
	ITA	2	2	2	2
	NZL	2	2	2	2
	SVK	2	1	3	1

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™: PARAGUAY TIES WITH DEFENDING CHAMPION'S ITALY BY THE SCORE OF 1-1

Italy 1-1 Paraguay FINAL

Today in South Africa, the defending champs Italy were unable to come out of there opening match against Paraguay with a win as they gave up the first goal and later tied it on a goal by DeRossi in the 2nd but that would be the final at 1 goal a piece. Even though Italy controlled the game. The shot's on net were 5-1 in favour of Italy. "The biggest regret is the result," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "They only approached the goal once and they scored. We reacted well but you've got to win games likes these."Now we have some bad news for Italy and that is that Pirlo won't be back until game 3 and Buffon left the game with a undisclosed injury.

"All I know is he had a back problem. I hope he returns for the next game but that will be up to the doctors," Lippi said about Buffon. Italy's next game will be June 20th against New Zealand.

Written by Andrew Di Pardo

Stats

Italy		Paraguay
10	Shots	8
8	Corner kicks	4
1	Yellow cards	1
0	Second yellow card and red card	0
0	Red Cards	0
52%	Possession (%)	48%

ITALY'S SCHEDULE

Italy's schedule:

14 Jun		ITA	-	PAR
20 Jun		ITA	-	NZL

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