Italy 2 Bulgaria 1
Italy 2 Bulgaria 1
Commentary by J.Chiam
Slight drizzles of rain teased the crowd as everyone anticipates the fate of the Azzuris. After an afternoon of heavy shower, the wet pitch lays at its mercy as Bulgarians and Italians lay siege on it to battle out their final group stage match.
The scenario of this match can’t get anymore complicated than the thoughts of Albert Einstein. The Azzuri’s fate lays solely on the hands of another match halfway cross the country. Even if the Italians succeeded in mercilessly slaughtering the Bulgarians, it wouldn’t be enough to secure them into the next round if the Danes and Swedes decide on a being trigger-happy in front the goal, settling with a high-scoring draw. Finally, Italy is being placed in a spot where they’re so not accustomed to, a place where they’re not in control. With Trappatoni’s job on the line, this match could not only be the Italians final match in the tournament, it may be for their manager’s final tribute as well.
With the absence of his fancied key players Gattuso, captain Cannavaro and Totti, Trappatoni opted to throw in play maker Pirlo of AC, makeshift defender Materrazzi and Fiore. Powerfully built striker Christian Vieri was rested due to knee injury. The Azzuris started slowly, as expected, and though they had several chances, the Italians found it hard to break the deadlock, with a stubborn Bulgarian side defending and playing for pride now that they are already knocked-out. Poor teamwork, lack of urgency, sloppy passing, these are the words regarding their game from football expert Shabi Khan for the first half. One would thing whether the Italians are using this time to do some soul-searching on the field rather than play football. Though with Zambrotta making tireless runs down the flank to support the attack, and young and fibrant local hero Cassano on the target several times, the Italians still could not find the answer to their problems. Frustration started to grow, and it was no wonder that clumsy, inexperience Materrazzi make a silly mistake to concede a penalty. Half time score: Bulgaria 1 Sleepy Heads 0
2nd half started much brighter, probably of the manager knocking some sense into their hard, Italian heads. An early 2nd half goal seems bright, scored in a chaotic scramble at the goal mouth’s mercy. Azzuris played much better, and almost had the heart of their fans pumping several times when they nearly scored the winner. Time was running out. The score is still tied. Out goes Perretto, in goes Vieri. Out comes another defender, in goes another attacker. Trappatoni is throwing in whatever firepower he’s have left. Almost the end of 2nd half. Italians said a short thank you prayer when they read the extra time added: 5 mins. Wave after wave of attacks were launch. Finally at the 93rd minute, Cassano blasted the winner at the roof of the net. The crowd went wild. Cassano sped down the pitch, smiling and shouting, finally he reached his manager.
His faced changed. Suddenly instead of tears of joy, tears of disappointment strolled down his cheeks. So were the other players. The news is out. Denmark 2 Sweden 2. It is over. They’re out, despite the final victory. Italians fans placed their fans on their foreheads in disbelief, some tried to console others, but needing consolation themselves. So high were their hopes, so high was the built-up. The mighty Azzuri has fallen. So near yet so far, so close yet it slipped, from celebration to depression, from ecstasy to agony.
This is the life of football. Who says football doesn’t involve emotions? Sometimes even the strongest men weep like a baby in soccer matches. When a team wins, celebrations run throughout the night. In the city, in the valley, the whole country celebrates. When it loses, the country mourns as though a national hero has passed on.
As in the case for Italy, one might ponder, sometimes life is like football. Italy paid the price of under-performing during the early stages, with now even a win is not sufficient to bring them through. When we start out in life, maybe in projects or tasks, starting sheepishly and passively can be the danger. In order that we succeed in life, the good start is always the advantage, a kick start, almost guarantee success.
Commentary by J.Chiam
Slight drizzles of rain teased the crowd as everyone anticipates the fate of the Azzuris. After an afternoon of heavy shower, the wet pitch lays at its mercy as Bulgarians and Italians lay siege on it to battle out their final group stage match.
The scenario of this match can’t get anymore complicated than the thoughts of Albert Einstein. The Azzuri’s fate lays solely on the hands of another match halfway cross the country. Even if the Italians succeeded in mercilessly slaughtering the Bulgarians, it wouldn’t be enough to secure them into the next round if the Danes and Swedes decide on a being trigger-happy in front the goal, settling with a high-scoring draw. Finally, Italy is being placed in a spot where they’re so not accustomed to, a place where they’re not in control. With Trappatoni’s job on the line, this match could not only be the Italians final match in the tournament, it may be for their manager’s final tribute as well.
With the absence of his fancied key players Gattuso, captain Cannavaro and Totti, Trappatoni opted to throw in play maker Pirlo of AC, makeshift defender Materrazzi and Fiore. Powerfully built striker Christian Vieri was rested due to knee injury. The Azzuris started slowly, as expected, and though they had several chances, the Italians found it hard to break the deadlock, with a stubborn Bulgarian side defending and playing for pride now that they are already knocked-out. Poor teamwork, lack of urgency, sloppy passing, these are the words regarding their game from football expert Shabi Khan for the first half. One would thing whether the Italians are using this time to do some soul-searching on the field rather than play football. Though with Zambrotta making tireless runs down the flank to support the attack, and young and fibrant local hero Cassano on the target several times, the Italians still could not find the answer to their problems. Frustration started to grow, and it was no wonder that clumsy, inexperience Materrazzi make a silly mistake to concede a penalty. Half time score: Bulgaria 1 Sleepy Heads 0
2nd half started much brighter, probably of the manager knocking some sense into their hard, Italian heads. An early 2nd half goal seems bright, scored in a chaotic scramble at the goal mouth’s mercy. Azzuris played much better, and almost had the heart of their fans pumping several times when they nearly scored the winner. Time was running out. The score is still tied. Out goes Perretto, in goes Vieri. Out comes another defender, in goes another attacker. Trappatoni is throwing in whatever firepower he’s have left. Almost the end of 2nd half. Italians said a short thank you prayer when they read the extra time added: 5 mins. Wave after wave of attacks were launch. Finally at the 93rd minute, Cassano blasted the winner at the roof of the net. The crowd went wild. Cassano sped down the pitch, smiling and shouting, finally he reached his manager.
His faced changed. Suddenly instead of tears of joy, tears of disappointment strolled down his cheeks. So were the other players. The news is out. Denmark 2 Sweden 2. It is over. They’re out, despite the final victory. Italians fans placed their fans on their foreheads in disbelief, some tried to console others, but needing consolation themselves. So high were their hopes, so high was the built-up. The mighty Azzuri has fallen. So near yet so far, so close yet it slipped, from celebration to depression, from ecstasy to agony.
This is the life of football. Who says football doesn’t involve emotions? Sometimes even the strongest men weep like a baby in soccer matches. When a team wins, celebrations run throughout the night. In the city, in the valley, the whole country celebrates. When it loses, the country mourns as though a national hero has passed on.
As in the case for Italy, one might ponder, sometimes life is like football. Italy paid the price of under-performing during the early stages, with now even a win is not sufficient to bring them through. When we start out in life, maybe in projects or tasks, starting sheepishly and passively can be the danger. In order that we succeed in life, the good start is always the advantage, a kick start, almost guarantee success.
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