Breaking News – Cheataly Booted Out!

Immediately after the Azzurri scored the first of their futile goals, two of the Italians homed in on the goalkeeper while he was retrieving the ball from inside the goal, brought him down and stamped on him when no one was looking. One of them left the crime scene while the other hung around so that the referee could return just in time to see the Slovak goalie and a defender retaliate. The official heard the Italian’s complaints and decided that the ‘keeper deserved to be booked – both the stamping Italian goons, needless to say, escaped unscathed. But that was not the first such incident in this match – in the first period, minutes after Cannavaro had escaped a second booking, he came up with a Tony Award winning performance after the slightest touch from the Slovak goalscorer Vittek just to ensure that the latter got booked.

Anyone who has seen Italy play over the ages knows that this behaviour wasn’t in the least bit abnormal – that’s how they play. Supporters would like to say it’s smart aggression – but anyone who’s not wearing savoy-blue-tinted glasses knows that it’s smart cheating. Rivaldo against Turkey in 2002 was one guy – every time Italy plays, there are 11 such Rivaldos on the field and many more in the dugout. In spite of having the finest strikers over the ages, even in the recent years (Baggio, Del Piero, Inzaghi, Totti and Vieri are names that immediately spring to mind), all they ever did – no matter who the coach was – was get that one goal, stifle every attack which tried to fetch the equalizer, and try and increase the lead on the counter. Opposition on a break? Feign injury and force the referee to hold up play. Injure the opponent’s playmaker through hideous tackles and fouls when the officials are caught up with something else; get as many of their players booked as possible (sending offs are always a bonus).

Sadly for them, their fame defence lacked both the legs and the heart this time – and thank the heavens for that, ‘coz otherwise it would have been another victory for cheating over ethics and honesty, for evil over good. Lucas Neill, Zinedine Zidane and a host of others from Germany 2006 must be experiencing a sweet sensation now, for the Azzurri got their just desserts, main course as well as starters.

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Tags: azzurri, fifa, football, italy, soccer, south africa, sport, world cup