One of the most painful matches in Italian soccer history was when the South Koreans coached by Guus Hiddink beat them in the 2002 Quarterfinals. To add insult to injury, Ahn Jung Hwan, the goalscorer, played for Serie club Perugia. The furore in Italy was incredible with the Italian president expressing his anger. Francesco Totti probably remembers that game vividly.
Now the Italians face the Socceroos who are coached by none other than Guus Hiddink. The Socceroos are missing hatchet man Brett Emerton, who was booked in the Croatia match. He is been a pillar in defence. Guus Hiddink also faces fresh worries with midfielder Harry Kewell’s health. One player who is not coming back is goalie Zeljko Kalac whose goalkeeping was atrocious. Mark Schwarzer is back.
Italy will have to deal with a team like the South Koreans, in that the Socceroos are also an unknown quantity, but very fit and also very physical. Alessandro Nesta is probably out with his groin injury, so the Italians are missing one of its great defenders.
And the Italians are feeling the pressure
Australia and Italy have met once in the 2000 Olympics, in a foul plagued soccer match that Italy won playing with their usual defensive savvy and gamesmanship. There will be a number of players in both squads who played that game including, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Mark Viduka, and Lucas Neill. So there is a bit of history that might play out in this match. Whatever it is, it should be exciting.