After having beaten Cameroon by 3-0, Italy had just about qualified for the next round of France 98 since it was that victory which game them a total of 4 points which would probably be enough to make it to the round of 16. Of course they had not qualified automatically as they could still be eliminated but a win or a draw in their match against Austria would be enough to guarantee them a place in the top 16. This regardless of what happened in the match between Cameroon and Chile which would be played at the same time as Italy faced Austria.
Of course there was a chance that Italy might be eliminated yet this would require not only for Austria to defeat Italy but for Chile to defeat Cameroon which was definitely a realistic possibility yet not likely to occur. Italy however was not going to take any chances and would be playing for a victory! Specially since they wished to avoid coming in second place in the group which would have probably meant a second round encounter with Brazil. This being an encounter both teams would have preferred avoiding or at least till the later rounds of the tournament.
As for Chile and Austria, they had drawn their game at one a piece which left each of them with two points a piece. Cameron for its part, after its lose to Italy was left with only one point yet still could qualify if they beat Chile and Italy beat Austria. All of which making this part of the tournament seem much like a game of chess as there were so many options to be considered and strategy was needed. As sometimes it was preferable for some teams to come in second in their group in other to avoid a difficult match in the round of 16.
I knew it was going to be an interesting game since Italy would not be forced to win and could show some quality football. There also being the factor that Italy had improved in their last match and would probably be raising their game up a notch against Austria as well. This giving me confidence that we had a team which could contend for the title one more time yet apart from this there were other factors which allowed me to dream of a fourth title. One of them being that neither Brazil nor Germany were really playing up to their usual levels.
Germany having a team full of players who had defiantly passed their prime and were clearly not the same as when they had won the world cup in Italia 90. Germany having more than failed to impress in the first round despite their victories over teams like Iran and the USA. This while Brazil had also not produced much in the way of quality football in their first two matches against either Scotland or Morocco. It being a case of both teams getting by on their name and reputation along with having had weak opponents; rather than the quality of their game. Argentina was looking good with Batistuta which did worry me some but I felt Italy was also playing well. As for France, yes they looked impressive in beating South Africa by 3-0 and then Saudi Arabia by 4-0 but then again; one did have to consider the lack of quality in either team along with the fact that they were playing at home.
As for the match between Italy and Austria, my friend Errico and I would be seeing at it an Irish bar in Warsaw. This also being the first time he and I had ever seen Italy play in a world cup though we had seen Italy play against England in a game which ended in a 0-0 draw. There was a certain nervousness as we waited for the kick off at this bar. This after having ordered something to eat and drink. As for the bar, it was almost empty given the time of the day and the lack of interest among most Polish people in that particular game.
As for the history of world cup matches between Italy and Austria, they had played each other 3 times with Italy wining by a score of 1-0 on all three occasions. The first one being in Italia 34, the second in Argentina 78 and the last one being in Italia 90. It perhaps seeming like a strange coincidence that matches between Italy and Austria always ended with the same score yet regardless of this factor; they would be playing today for the right to pass in to the round of 16.
Italy started well as did the match yet the first half was uneventful and ended without any goals being scored. Italy perhaps surprising some in starting Del Piero in place of Baggio, who had been playing well but Del Piero; was the younger man and needed to be given a chance to mature.
Many had been the moments of tension as Italy could still be eliminated since Chile could end up beating Cameroon while Austria still could go on to beat Italy. As for Chile, they had drawn their last game against Austria at 1 with Austria getting their equalizer practically at the very last second of the game. This in a similar fashion like they had done against Cameroon in their first game which also ended in a 1-1 draw.
As for the half time break, Errico and I spent it talking about the first half and weather or not Baggio should enter the game. Of course apart from eating what we had ordered and trying to see who would be our next opponent in the second round. I thinking that more than likely we would get Norway but this still had to be decided. In all this, I must also say that there is something nice and almost relaxing about watching a match which one is not forced to win yet its score is import to weather or not one progresses in the tournament or not.
The second half started and it was 3 minutes in to the second half that Italy went ahead on the scoreboard when Del Piero centered the ball from a free kick taken from the left side of the Austrian goal. It being Del Piero's accurate cross which was met by a powerful header from Vieri, who using not only his large body but leaping ability beat both Austria's goalkeeper and defense to put Italy in front. A goal, it had been which though perhaps not a great one, released shouts of joy signaling out that we were winning. Italy was sure to be in the next round as not only where they ahead in the scoreboard but were in fact out playing their opponents.
Italy even coming close on a Donadoni header yet Austria's goalkeeper managed to tip his shot over the crossbar to keep the score at 1-0. This play once again bringing us to our feet yet not giving us the comfort of the goal which would have probably put the match out of reach. Naturally Austria, for their part had not given up and even came close when Rheinmeyer's bicycle kick almost surprised Pagliuca whose quick reflexes along with his cool head and well positioning saved what could have easily been an equalizer. Rheinmeyer allowing us to see that this was what all the excitement of a world cup was about which included goals, near misses, good tries and nice plays which though not always goals; did provide wondrous emotions.
Austria fearing they would be eliminated however were going forward which made Italian counter attacks all the more dangerous as the amount of men they were sending forward was leaving empty spaces behind. Roberto Baggio, in fact doing a superb run through the Austrian defense. All the way to their penalty box where he selflessly passed the ball to Moriero, who perhaps should have done better with his crossed shot yet just the same; Italy was getting close and the game was getting better.
Italy however would get the second when Izaghi got behind the Austrian defense and passed back to an open Roberto Baggio; who had no trouble putting Italy ahead 2-0. Again there was joy about in screams of goal. It being my friend who showed all the enthusiasm I had seen at Giant's stadium just four years prior during all of Italy's matches. Baggio was back in a big way, having scored 2 goals and had two assists in 3 games which made us see that his career had more to offer than USA 94 as far as world cups were concerned.
With a 2-0 lead and so little time remaining, I doubt anybody thought Italy would lose yet the game went on though my friend and I were sure Italy would move forward in the tournament. Austria however would score a last minute goal off a Herzog penalty to both get on the scoreboard and not break their trend of having scored a last minute goal in each of their three world cup matches. This one however unlike the rest not allowing them to tie the score but at least make it look more respectable.
Italy would have another opportunity when once again Baggio broke through the Austrian defense yet his pass was just a bit too far for Inzaghi; who just made it yet his effort was blocked by an Austrian defender; to keep the score at 2-1 and end the match with that very score. Italy went through and though this was expected, it still brought cause for celebration as Italy's next rival would be Norway.
As for Chile, they became the first South American team to qualify to the second round of a world cup without a single win. This in a way being odd since they still had not won since 62 yet would be playing Brazil in the second round in France 98.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MLehAS95S4&feature=related
Of course there was a chance that Italy might be eliminated yet this would require not only for Austria to defeat Italy but for Chile to defeat Cameroon which was definitely a realistic possibility yet not likely to occur. Italy however was not going to take any chances and would be playing for a victory! Specially since they wished to avoid coming in second place in the group which would have probably meant a second round encounter with Brazil. This being an encounter both teams would have preferred avoiding or at least till the later rounds of the tournament.
As for Chile and Austria, they had drawn their game at one a piece which left each of them with two points a piece. Cameron for its part, after its lose to Italy was left with only one point yet still could qualify if they beat Chile and Italy beat Austria. All of which making this part of the tournament seem much like a game of chess as there were so many options to be considered and strategy was needed. As sometimes it was preferable for some teams to come in second in their group in other to avoid a difficult match in the round of 16.
I knew it was going to be an interesting game since Italy would not be forced to win and could show some quality football. There also being the factor that Italy had improved in their last match and would probably be raising their game up a notch against Austria as well. This giving me confidence that we had a team which could contend for the title one more time yet apart from this there were other factors which allowed me to dream of a fourth title. One of them being that neither Brazil nor Germany were really playing up to their usual levels.
Germany having a team full of players who had defiantly passed their prime and were clearly not the same as when they had won the world cup in Italia 90. Germany having more than failed to impress in the first round despite their victories over teams like Iran and the USA. This while Brazil had also not produced much in the way of quality football in their first two matches against either Scotland or Morocco. It being a case of both teams getting by on their name and reputation along with having had weak opponents; rather than the quality of their game. Argentina was looking good with Batistuta which did worry me some but I felt Italy was also playing well. As for France, yes they looked impressive in beating South Africa by 3-0 and then Saudi Arabia by 4-0 but then again; one did have to consider the lack of quality in either team along with the fact that they were playing at home.
As for the match between Italy and Austria, my friend Errico and I would be seeing at it an Irish bar in Warsaw. This also being the first time he and I had ever seen Italy play in a world cup though we had seen Italy play against England in a game which ended in a 0-0 draw. There was a certain nervousness as we waited for the kick off at this bar. This after having ordered something to eat and drink. As for the bar, it was almost empty given the time of the day and the lack of interest among most Polish people in that particular game.
As for the history of world cup matches between Italy and Austria, they had played each other 3 times with Italy wining by a score of 1-0 on all three occasions. The first one being in Italia 34, the second in Argentina 78 and the last one being in Italia 90. It perhaps seeming like a strange coincidence that matches between Italy and Austria always ended with the same score yet regardless of this factor; they would be playing today for the right to pass in to the round of 16.
Italy started well as did the match yet the first half was uneventful and ended without any goals being scored. Italy perhaps surprising some in starting Del Piero in place of Baggio, who had been playing well but Del Piero; was the younger man and needed to be given a chance to mature.
Many had been the moments of tension as Italy could still be eliminated since Chile could end up beating Cameroon while Austria still could go on to beat Italy. As for Chile, they had drawn their last game against Austria at 1 with Austria getting their equalizer practically at the very last second of the game. This in a similar fashion like they had done against Cameroon in their first game which also ended in a 1-1 draw.
As for the half time break, Errico and I spent it talking about the first half and weather or not Baggio should enter the game. Of course apart from eating what we had ordered and trying to see who would be our next opponent in the second round. I thinking that more than likely we would get Norway but this still had to be decided. In all this, I must also say that there is something nice and almost relaxing about watching a match which one is not forced to win yet its score is import to weather or not one progresses in the tournament or not.
The second half started and it was 3 minutes in to the second half that Italy went ahead on the scoreboard when Del Piero centered the ball from a free kick taken from the left side of the Austrian goal. It being Del Piero's accurate cross which was met by a powerful header from Vieri, who using not only his large body but leaping ability beat both Austria's goalkeeper and defense to put Italy in front. A goal, it had been which though perhaps not a great one, released shouts of joy signaling out that we were winning. Italy was sure to be in the next round as not only where they ahead in the scoreboard but were in fact out playing their opponents.
Italy even coming close on a Donadoni header yet Austria's goalkeeper managed to tip his shot over the crossbar to keep the score at 1-0. This play once again bringing us to our feet yet not giving us the comfort of the goal which would have probably put the match out of reach. Naturally Austria, for their part had not given up and even came close when Rheinmeyer's bicycle kick almost surprised Pagliuca whose quick reflexes along with his cool head and well positioning saved what could have easily been an equalizer. Rheinmeyer allowing us to see that this was what all the excitement of a world cup was about which included goals, near misses, good tries and nice plays which though not always goals; did provide wondrous emotions.
Austria fearing they would be eliminated however were going forward which made Italian counter attacks all the more dangerous as the amount of men they were sending forward was leaving empty spaces behind. Roberto Baggio, in fact doing a superb run through the Austrian defense. All the way to their penalty box where he selflessly passed the ball to Moriero, who perhaps should have done better with his crossed shot yet just the same; Italy was getting close and the game was getting better.
Italy however would get the second when Izaghi got behind the Austrian defense and passed back to an open Roberto Baggio; who had no trouble putting Italy ahead 2-0. Again there was joy about in screams of goal. It being my friend who showed all the enthusiasm I had seen at Giant's stadium just four years prior during all of Italy's matches. Baggio was back in a big way, having scored 2 goals and had two assists in 3 games which made us see that his career had more to offer than USA 94 as far as world cups were concerned.
With a 2-0 lead and so little time remaining, I doubt anybody thought Italy would lose yet the game went on though my friend and I were sure Italy would move forward in the tournament. Austria however would score a last minute goal off a Herzog penalty to both get on the scoreboard and not break their trend of having scored a last minute goal in each of their three world cup matches. This one however unlike the rest not allowing them to tie the score but at least make it look more respectable.
Italy would have another opportunity when once again Baggio broke through the Austrian defense yet his pass was just a bit too far for Inzaghi; who just made it yet his effort was blocked by an Austrian defender; to keep the score at 2-1 and end the match with that very score. Italy went through and though this was expected, it still brought cause for celebration as Italy's next rival would be Norway.
As for Chile, they became the first South American team to qualify to the second round of a world cup without a single win. This in a way being odd since they still had not won since 62 yet would be playing Brazil in the second round in France 98.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MLehAS95S4&feature=related
My name is Gianni Truvianni, author of many an article to be found on the internet along with the book "New York's Opera Society". My works also include the books "What Should Not Matter", "Love Your Sister" and several others which still remain unpublished though I am presently looking to change this.
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