Football is a beautiful game, as everyone would tell you. But the other side of the picture is littered with of frauds cheats and outright injustice by many of those involved and that include officials. The poor refereeing experience of the Korea-Japan world cup has not been forgotten, Germany 2006 has yet been another shocker as far as referees are concerned. The tragedy is outcome of a game sometimes decided by their mistakes as seen in the Italy-Australia game on June 26.
The 1-0 win by Italy had hardly been over, when one of the biggest football forums on the Internet, ww.bbc.co.uk/606 was flooded with fans having gutful of the Italian gamesmanship and the referees’ ineptitude at best, that virtually decided the outcome of the otherwise great match.
“Ozzies robbed,never a penalty,he fell over the man.”
“Typical Italy, always cheating. anyways Australia played well and deserved to win and I guess should take heart from it. poor Australia, wish they were in the quarters.”
“Absolute joke as the Italians resort to type. The international game is becoming a farce.”
“Absolutely shocking. I'm hardly a big Oz fan, but that was absolutely disgusting by the Italians. That needs to be put right!”
Australia went into the game as the underdog. Nobody, except themselves and the coach gave them any chances against the 3 time world Champion. But after successful resisting some of the early pressure from Italy, particular front danger man Lucas Tony, the Socceroos started to impose their style of attacking football which frustrated the Italian to no bound. It was fair to say that Italy created better chances in front of Australia’s goal early in the first half, but a solid Australia defence, with Mark Schwazer in goal, was on top gear, to repel all Italian assaults.
As the game went on and frustration built up, the Italian resorted to show stuff they are also good at, on top of playing football: diving. All of a sudden, Italian players were dropping like flies all over the park, at the faintest contacts they might have with the Socceroos. But up until the last minute of the game, they had only limited success, such as getting Tim Cahill on the book and a few harmless free kicks, but the last dive by Grosso at the 93rd minute proved enough.
The Italian fullback had the ball and managed to skip Australia Bresciano and confronted with Lucas
Neil, who had been on the ground to block his kick, Grosso simply tumbled over the Australian defender and fell prone to the ground, screaming and squealing in agony. The rest was history. And the referee decided to give Italy a spot kick. Totti did a great job to put the ball into Australia net.
Speaking after the game, Australia's Coach Guus Hiddink said "If you see the replay, there was no doubt it was not a penalty". The Sydney Morning Herald, most reputable newspaper in Australia carried the headline "Socceroos Robbed in the Final Seconds". Even Australian Prime Minister John Howard expressed his heart-broken feeling at the way Australia was denied a spot in the Quarter Final.
Australia might have lost the score, but they have surely won the game and the hearts of millions soccer fans around the world for their beautiful, lion hearted style of play and above all their commitment. They can go home with the head held high as they have done their nation proud. There’s no doubt they will come back stronger and better next time.
