DAY 14-ARIVADECI AZURRI

ITALIAN ANTHEM

SLOVAKIA ANTHEM

ITALY VS SLOVAKIA

ITALY VS SLOVAKIA PICS

On to Ellis Park on Thursday and the nerves were jangling because of Italys possible exit.Myself,Hoosain Mayet and Freds got the TST 7 for Italy.I told Hoosain.Dont Worry we will beat Slovakia but come out second which at worst will throw our logistics ofcourse and place us in PE and Durbs.But Italy should qualify.

The ist half was woeful.Ive never suffered this way since Ahn Jung Whan sunk us in 2002.A goal down and Italy lacking in all departments.I was on the upper tier with some passionate fans from Italy

These boys from Italy were clearly dejected by Italys choices up front.

Upfront we were lacking the creativity.For Sure. 2-0 down and with the introduction of Andrea Pirlo sa w a change in Italy.And the game was lively.Italy were pressing. Pirlo was majestic to watch.2-1.De Natale.Game on. The second was coming.Now Italy were playing.But then all of a sudden we went 3-1 down.Machetti couldnt prevent the chip. How we missed Buffon. If he were there we definitely wouldnt have conceded so many.Quagliareglia 3-2.A brilliant chip,Disallowed goal for Italy,Time wasting by the Slovakian Goalkeeper and as teh Clock ran Italy were dumped out of the World Cup.Fans in front of me cried,the Germans celebrated and with the world Cup in South Africa my dream of following the Azurri was abruptly ended.

In all honesty we were poor.Scoring two and conceding 5 we didn't deserve to be around.It was dreadful and drawing against New Zealand in a relatively easy group Italy finished last.

The fans were despondent and I hurried to the Park and Ride to get ready for my trip to Durban.

A dark night indeed....and nothing more to say.

Later Japan qualified along with the Netherlands.Honda and the Japanese dumping out Cameroon en route to the round of 16.But for now its

Arrivadeci Italia.Forza Azurri.

The reign of Lippi is Over.