Italy perhaps had been out played by Peru yet despite that they had drawn in a game which I would say was the weakest exhibition of football they gave in what was Spain 82. It being precisely that draw against Peru at one goal a piece which left them at the top of the group and a point away from going on in to the next round. As for Peru and Poland, they had already played their match which surprisingly ended in a 5-1 Polish win. Poland's win being much larger than many would have ever expected over a team which prior to that game had played good football yet perhaps had wore itself out before the world cup. Poland's goals perhaps serving as proof of this as all five of them were scored in a 20 minute spell during the second half.
Poland had qualified and Peru had been eliminated yet for Italy, Cameroon still remained with whom they simply could not lose to. This being a situation similar to the one Germany found itself in four years ago in their last group match against Tunisia. As for my part, I could not get out of my mind that this was a team which had so much potential and would be playing so well if they just managed to get their act together.
Cameroon, for what concerned them had drawn both their games at 0 with both Peru and Poland and had basically given a good account of themselves in front of their fans as well as the rest of the world which had taken a liking to this strong spirited African team. Cameroon being a strong physical team with good control of the ball and a disciplined defense yet seemed to lack the savvy on offense of European or South American teams which made them perhaps easier to defend against. Cameroon also having players of the quality of Tokoto, Milla (who would be a star of "Italia 90") and their goalkeeper; Thomas Nokono. All in all a team which had left found memories with the fans of not only themselves but African football as a whole.
The game started with Italy wearing all white though this I was not sure of the reason since Italy's blue could not be confused with Cameroon's green yet despite the reason; the fact remained that Italy would not be playing in their typical blue jerseys. Italy needing only a draw however started attacking as if wanting to put it out of doubt that it would be them to qualify.
Italy did dominate the first few minutes much like Peru and Poland had done yet they too did not really create many scoring opportunities. It being late in to the half that from a free-kick Conti was able to beat the well executed Cameroonian off-sides trap yet his shot inexplicable missed; when all which was left for him to do was put the ball in the net.
The game was in fact, a lively game with both teams going up and down the field with some nice plays on both sides. Italy however came ever so close on a header from Collovati which Nokono just barely managed to get a hand on as it was going over his head; to tip it upward. The ball hitting off the crossbar in what was a great scoring chance for Italy as I could practically see Italy in the second round for just a split second yet it was not to be.
The first half however ended at 0 with some disappointment on my part not to be winning yet what mattered was that Italy would go through if the score remained as it was. Many perhaps were expecting more from Italy after having won their three first round matches in the last world cup but at the end of the day what really counts is going through to the second round as once there; all teams go back to being even.
Paolo Rossi frankly speaking had not done much in this world cup yet he had had some near misses like he did against Poland but it was the 60 minute mark of the game that he found some of the greatness he showed in Argentina 78. This the moment he crossed the ball to Graziani; who headed the ball in for an Italian goal. A goal and what a joy it was to be up by 1-0 and about to enter the second round. A goal perhaps which Nokono would have had if had not tripped or slipped yet this hardly mattered because Italy was leading by 1 -0 with nothing to do but hold out for 30 minutes and theirs would be a victory. Italy would also win its first match in a world cup since their 1-0 win over Austria four whole games ago.
How calm it felt to be on top and knowing that Italy would be in the second round most likely against Maradona's Argentina and Zico's Brazil but that was later; for the moment Italy was in the lead by 1-0. What joy or at least it was for a whole minute till Mbida managed to tie the game for Cameroon at 1-1. All the glory taken from Italy as again they were in a draw which would still be good enough to qualify yet nothing was sure. Mbida's goal did look slightly off-sides but this again hardly mattered as the goal was given as Cameroon held on to their hopes that they might go through.
Italy and Cameroon were tied and such did it end and where I could share the feelings of those who were sad over Cameroon's departure, who had done so much more than expected; I also felt glad Italy had qualified. Cameroon and Algeria letting people all over the world see that there was another continent which could play football in the world. The game in and of itself had not been much to look at but it had been nice to watch and though Italy had not lost; I still felt there was more to this team that met the eye.
Poland had qualified and Peru had been eliminated yet for Italy, Cameroon still remained with whom they simply could not lose to. This being a situation similar to the one Germany found itself in four years ago in their last group match against Tunisia. As for my part, I could not get out of my mind that this was a team which had so much potential and would be playing so well if they just managed to get their act together.
Cameroon, for what concerned them had drawn both their games at 0 with both Peru and Poland and had basically given a good account of themselves in front of their fans as well as the rest of the world which had taken a liking to this strong spirited African team. Cameroon being a strong physical team with good control of the ball and a disciplined defense yet seemed to lack the savvy on offense of European or South American teams which made them perhaps easier to defend against. Cameroon also having players of the quality of Tokoto, Milla (who would be a star of "Italia 90") and their goalkeeper; Thomas Nokono. All in all a team which had left found memories with the fans of not only themselves but African football as a whole.
The game started with Italy wearing all white though this I was not sure of the reason since Italy's blue could not be confused with Cameroon's green yet despite the reason; the fact remained that Italy would not be playing in their typical blue jerseys. Italy needing only a draw however started attacking as if wanting to put it out of doubt that it would be them to qualify.
Italy did dominate the first few minutes much like Peru and Poland had done yet they too did not really create many scoring opportunities. It being late in to the half that from a free-kick Conti was able to beat the well executed Cameroonian off-sides trap yet his shot inexplicable missed; when all which was left for him to do was put the ball in the net.
The game was in fact, a lively game with both teams going up and down the field with some nice plays on both sides. Italy however came ever so close on a header from Collovati which Nokono just barely managed to get a hand on as it was going over his head; to tip it upward. The ball hitting off the crossbar in what was a great scoring chance for Italy as I could practically see Italy in the second round for just a split second yet it was not to be.
The first half however ended at 0 with some disappointment on my part not to be winning yet what mattered was that Italy would go through if the score remained as it was. Many perhaps were expecting more from Italy after having won their three first round matches in the last world cup but at the end of the day what really counts is going through to the second round as once there; all teams go back to being even.
Paolo Rossi frankly speaking had not done much in this world cup yet he had had some near misses like he did against Poland but it was the 60 minute mark of the game that he found some of the greatness he showed in Argentina 78. This the moment he crossed the ball to Graziani; who headed the ball in for an Italian goal. A goal and what a joy it was to be up by 1-0 and about to enter the second round. A goal perhaps which Nokono would have had if had not tripped or slipped yet this hardly mattered because Italy was leading by 1 -0 with nothing to do but hold out for 30 minutes and theirs would be a victory. Italy would also win its first match in a world cup since their 1-0 win over Austria four whole games ago.
How calm it felt to be on top and knowing that Italy would be in the second round most likely against Maradona's Argentina and Zico's Brazil but that was later; for the moment Italy was in the lead by 1-0. What joy or at least it was for a whole minute till Mbida managed to tie the game for Cameroon at 1-1. All the glory taken from Italy as again they were in a draw which would still be good enough to qualify yet nothing was sure. Mbida's goal did look slightly off-sides but this again hardly mattered as the goal was given as Cameroon held on to their hopes that they might go through.
Italy and Cameroon were tied and such did it end and where I could share the feelings of those who were sad over Cameroon's departure, who had done so much more than expected; I also felt glad Italy had qualified. Cameroon and Algeria letting people all over the world see that there was another continent which could play football in the world. The game in and of itself had not been much to look at but it had been nice to watch and though Italy had not lost; I still felt there was more to this team that met the eye.
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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