Worst Decision of the WC2006 sees Italy through

Aussies kept the ball with them for most of the time in 1st half. And when Italians had the ball, they looked dangerous. It wasn't Luca Toni's day, he missed out few chances which he might have scored normally. It was 0-0 for the first half as expected.

The second half had a big surprise was in store.
When the stand-in defender Materazzi, playing in the absence of Nesta, was given a direct red card, everyone was shocked . A yellow might have been ok.

Playing with 10 men, Italians were in backfoot frequently. The determined soccaroos took the atack again and again. With the massive Viduka held tight by Cameronessi
Aussies lacked the killer instinct in the final third. They kept the possession played short passes, moved on and on but the stubborn Italian defence closed in every time. Buffon had to make few good save.

Italy had to make all their substitutions within the 75 minutes. And Aussies had fresh legs to take over. This made theadvantage swing to the yellow team in extra time.

With Del peiro taken out, Totti showed how good he is to control the ball and give the final pass. But the finishing was still below par. All these added up to hope that the penalty shootout was un avoidable. And we know the italians, they will shoot first 4 kicks to the 4 corners of the post and the fifth, i neednt say it.

Just 10 seconds to go before extra time play, Grosso makes a good run into the Aussie penalty box from left corner , shruggs past the first defender who tries to pul him down, after he enters teh post, second one slides in, but Grosso made the move as if he was expecting it, he turned on hte diving defender, moves away from him and he might have thot "Im in hte box , what if i shoot out ? better i fall here". Then he kicks his leg onto the fallen defender who was lying down with hands raised in helplessness and dives in. Referee whistles. Penalty ! few seconds to end the game.

If there was a rule to book for the diving, It should have been produced then and there. In stead the referee went for the penalty. This was deliberate and had caused Aussies the quarterfinals of a world cup tie.
Where else could you make a bigger blunder. In a recent match one of the referee gave 3 yellow cards , now this to add. Why doesnt the other 3 referees interfere ?
why cant hte tv referee say "Mr., u are wrong ?"

Cool and calm Totti places it well, The Goaliehad guessed right, but the shot had enough sting in it to disturb the net.

And came the final whistle. Good bye Socarros, u did well . Keep ur heads high.