Italy whining touches a nerve

Dear readers, My article on Italy's whining seems to have touched a nerve. I truly sympathize with the Italian fans, but I still believe that Italy did not lose the game because of the referee, they lost it because they tried to defend a one-goal lead. Here now are my attempts at answering some of the latest concerns, especially ones about Damiaano Tommasi and Gianluca Zambrotta.

Where is the regular gol Tommasi scored and cancelled by the referee? And where are the other three goals Italy scored in the previous games and cancelled? I think if you were there you tried to do the same thing "to throw Italy out."
-- Enzo, Canada

Dear Enzo, I would do no such thing. Tommasi was onside but the goal was never disallowed. The referee had already stopped play when he shot the ball into the net. So for me, that is not even a valid point. And at the end of my article I did state that some of the disallowed goals in previous games were dubious.

As an American watching this sport, I have to question the validity of the games, especially after the Italy-Korea game which certianly looked dubious, to say the least. I don't think Don King could have orchestrated a more pathetic match and blatant fixing. I am starting to think that soccer is more like a global version of our WWF, which at least we realize is a fake. Just my thoughts... WHat do you think? Is soccer for real or just a marketing hype?
-- George, New Jersey

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George, I personally do not agree with you. Football is not fixed and it is not orchestrated. Referees make mistakes, just like the players and coaches. What teams should do is play the game and try to overcome certain little mistakes there may be. Having said that, I admit that there were little fouls that seemed to go more Korea's way than Italy's, but that is not why the Azzuri lost and that does not mean there was any foul play.

The biggest dispute for the Italians is the offside that was called back on Tommasi. By the linesman's own admission, the play was not offside. Zambrotta got injured and that's why they took him off. You must be related to Joao Pinto!!!
-- Vince, Toronto

Well Vince, I am not related to Joao Pinto. And the biggest dispute that I have heard from Italians is the Totti sending off. I know Zambrotta was injured, but my point was the substitution for Angelo Di Livio. Why not put on Cristiano Doni or even Marco Delvecchio, players who can actually attack?

Korea is now a strong contender of the World Cup. They've so much improved and also achieved lots of stuff. Do you think the Koreans were just lucky??? Or is it that the coaching is better and the players have more skill???
-- Codin, Toronto

Korea is a strong contender for the World Cup because of fan support and because their players are more determined than many of the stars who line up for other teams. The Red Devils don't stop running during the whole match and will always give 150 percent. They are not the most skillful side in the world, but they might have the most will power. Manager Guus Hiddink also deserves a lot of credit for organizing them and teaching them about tactics.

In the South Korea-Italy game, Tommasi put the goal into the net after everyone on the field stopped playing at the whistle. Why does the media keep saying that this is a "disallowed goal"? It was close, but he didn't score during the play.
-- Haeran, Seattle

Thank you, Haeran. Exactly the point I tried to make.

My question is... Why is this the worst World Cup I've ever witnessed? I saw my first cup in '70 & I've seen them all since, being a die-hard "football" fan. Thanks to the refs teams like South Korea move on while a magnificent team like Italy gets to go home. Fans don't really want South Korea vs. Spain. That's darned boring! Italy vs. Spain would've been more than sweet.
-- Dave Fletchall, Long Beach, Calif

So Dave, you are saying that you would rather watch Spain and Italy pass the ball around the park than watch a match where teams actually attack and press forward? Spanish and Italian players are more skilled, but they must learn from their mistakes. The Spanish barely made it past an Ireland team who outworked them in every department. I say long live "teamwork", even if it means that some of the biggest stars are at home. Maybe next time they will give 150 percent as well.

World Sport's Pedro Pinto will be reporting regularly from South Korea during the World Cup.

 

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