We had lost but we were not out! We were Italy, after all and we were not going to give up after only one defeat, specially since we had already won three world cups, been in the finals four times and been semifinalists six times. Our record demanded that we go out and show what we were capable of; this I knew and having settled this in my mind I set back and enjoyed the rest of the world cup before Italy's second match.
The other games were very good and though there were no great surprises, I got to see some really nice play from Argentina; who soundly defeated Greece 4-0 but this one could more or have expected. They having Maradona, who was back in form after his year and a half suspension for cocaine but that was already in the past. Marardona, was still young at 33 or relatively so and his ball handling skills were still the best even if he had slowed down a step or two but then again speed had never been his greatest asset as a player. Of course; Argentina also had Batistuta, who scored a hat trick for Argentina in their 4-0 rout of Greece while the 4th goal was scored by Maradona, himself and did the camera ever capture his passion after his first world cup goal since the one he scored against Belgium in Mexico 86. It was almost as if he scored that goal just to prove to himself and his critics that he was not finished as far as football was concerned and in a way it was strange because the way he looked in to the camera will be more remembered then the goal itself.
As for the rest of the games; Brazil had won 2-0 but had not really impressed by beating Russia, who was playing as such for the first time after being the Soviet Union for so long. The United States in their second game beat Colombia 2-1, in a match that perhaps would have been forgotten if not for the tragedy that occurred afterwards. Andres Escobar, scored an own goal for the United States, because of which he was killed on his return to Colombia, by one of the cartels; who obviously had bet heavily on Colombia. This most likely the case though I have heard that one of the Colombian cartels even bet heavily against Colombia. All of which must have created great confusion on the Colombian team, as some players where even threatened before games not to do their best, while others to win at all cost.
In a way I also felt sorry for the USA, for they were playing in a world cup, which is the greatest honor which can be bestowed upon a national team and they were doing it as the host nation and yet most Americans seemed either oblivious to their efforts or simply did not care. The USA had played well against Switzerland in their 1-1 draw. This the team that qualified a head of Italy in their group and though this was more history; they had drawn 2-2 against Brazil, in the 1950 World Cup which Brazil hosted. Switzerland, would even go on two years later with basically the same team to hold England to a 1 all draw in the 96 Euro which England was playing host to. The USA, after drawing with Switzerland even beat Colombia, who some were predicting after their 5-0 trashing of Argentina to go all the way and yet, the people of the United States seemed not only not to take pride in their teams accomplishments; it was as if they just did not want to concern themselves with it. I for my part remember even reading about wild celebrations in countries like Austria, Peru, Argentina, Italy, Germany after world cup victories while those in the states almost did not react.
All of which made me feel bad for the Americans on that team; which would be the first American team to qualify for the second round since the one that had done so in the first ever world cup, played in Uruguay in 1930. It also being then that an American scored the first ever hat trick of the competition against Belgium; in a 3-0 US victory that would lead to the United States becoming the first and only CONCACAF team (so far) to reach the semifinal of a world cup.
My pity towards the American players was largely being caused by the fact that these players really seemed to be giving it their all in this, their big moment. Yet, it all seemed to be for a nation that was not even aware or did not even wish to be. I can even add that when the United States played Brazil in the round of 16 in Los Angeles, it was Brazilian fans who clearly outnumbered American fans and if one did not know the USA was playing at home; one could have sworn it was the other way around. For such was the lack of support the USA was getting on home soil.
Granted, their accomplishments were on the news of major networks but even they were given less time then other sports by commentators who anybody who knew anything about football (or soccer) could tell did not have a clue as to what the game they were reporting was about and would have done better to stick to baseball. Of course for my own, I feel the networks should have at least tried to get people who either followed the game of football or to better educate the commentators they had, as to not look too ignorant about what they were reporting. Actually what ended up causing a stir was the way, broadcasters from Latin America shouted after a goal was scored, which in fact is a practice carried out through out the whole football world.
In all this however; there was one thing I did notice as I watched the games and it being that the following changes had taken place in the rules:
1- A player was only on off sides if he was in front of the defender, on the same line no longer meant he was on off sides, which would hopefully increase scoring.
2- Almost any series foul earned the offending player a card regardless of weather or not there had been intensions to commit injure.
3- Any intentional handball received a card.
4- Deliberate back passes to the goalkeeper were no longer allowed and were punished by an indirect free kick, on the spot where the goal keeper had touched the ball.
5- Any last player committing a foul to stop a player got an automatic red card.
6- Yellow cards from the first round, were no longer counted in later stages of the tournament.
7- Players had to wear their names on their shirts, along with their numbers. This even causing a comic situation with the players of Cameroon; who were forced to add their names on their shirts in magic marker.
8- Three points were given for a victory; as opposed to what till then had only been two, however I for my part failed to see (and still do) how this makes such a big difference when teams are only playing three games.
Game day however arrived and again, it was to the same Port Authority bus terminal only now the mood amongst the Italian faithful was more somber, we needed to win and had to or else face elimination. Norway was not going to be easy but as I looked around I could see everybody was more serious about the game then they had been against Ireland. Another thing I noticed was that Italian fans clearly outnumbered Norwegians, perhaps by as much as 4 to 1 but this did not mean we would win for this we had to do. Our name alone was not going to do it, as teams were no longer afraid but felt they could beat us.
I remember having a much better seat on that day then the one I had against Ireland. This because tickets were not so hard to find, which made it possible for me to sit more or less at midfield, whereas before I got to sit behind one of the goals; where I managed to get a great view of Houghton winning the game for Ireland. Italy was more concentrated on this day and there was no denying it as even during the national anthems I could sense their focus on the matter at hand. As for myself, I too had come ready to support Italy as much as I could and again wearing my blue shirt of the Italian national team.
The game started as any other, with Italy attacking and the score at blank when they again; like in their first game in Argentina 78 made history for all the wrong reasons! In Argentina, it was for giving up the fastest goal in world cup history, now it was for being the first team to have its goalkeeper (Pagliuca) shown the red card during a world cup match. Yes, Italy was down to ten men, which meant they would have to bring in their reserve goalkeeper and take a player off the field. Roberto Baggio, much to my surprise was chosen to go off, so basically we were down to ten men, without our best player and in a game we had to win against the team that had eliminated England in qualifying. Could things get worse?
This I asked myself and so did many irritated fans. One of which even overheard me say and got slightly angry at me; when I commented to someone next to me that Pagliuca had handled the ball outside the box, to be told that the ball had really hit him on the chest but regardless of which he was sent off. Marchegiani was forced to take his place. This the goalkeeper who had literally given away two goals to Switzerland, which had clearly been his fault; was going to be our starting goalkeeper, for not only the remainder of this game but the next. Could things get any worse? They could; Baresi, our captain had to leave with an injury and later that week would require surgery.
In spite of all however the first half ended 0-0 with the fans or "Fratelli D' Italia" still hoping to win. The second half got under way and optimism, despite all was high and it did not take long for the much awaited scream of "GOAL" to burst from our lungs as Dino Baggio; at the 67 minute mark put us ahead to stay. All of which creating a scenario, which I will never forget; people hugging each other, some jumping up and down with flags, men and women, it mattered not for we were winning. One to zero, it would end and our hopes would live on to qualify, we of course would probably have to beat Mexico or at least tie and hope to go in as one of the third place teams but it was within our reach and this was cause enough to celebrate.
Celebrate, we did but it was more relieve then anything else that we had at least won a game and scored that made us feel good afterwards. It had been a costly victory loosing both Baresi and Pagliuca but we had won and that was important. As for the other game in our group Mexico had beaten Ireland 2-1; which meant that matters where square in the group at three points for all four teams. All of which put greater emphasis on our last match against Mexico.
My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and so much more of what I am with those who are interested in perhaps reading something new. I also am the author of the book entitled "New York's Opera Society" which is now available on Amazon.
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