Aus v Italy

[iceman (Mike)]

Half time score, 0-0.

Looking good so far.. plenty of posession, not much in the way of shots on goal though.

On the other hand, Italy have looked dangerous every time they've had it over half way.. some very close calls indeed.

Great match so far! Gooooo aussie goooo!!

[iceman (Mike)]

Italy down to 10 men!

[Mick (Michael)]

Congratulations and bad luck to the Roo's the ride is over. MEDINA CANTALEJO Luis lists travelling as one of his General interests, I hope he doesn't plan on visiting Australia.

[BobsYourUncle]

That hurts . Yeah, they did very well getting to the last 16, but to come so close to the quarters (and possibly further considering who we would've played) only to have that happen. For a referee at that level to be so close and not get it right, it just shouldn't happen. I'm fuming...

[obga]

Most of the referees do not give penalty in this situation.
MEDINA CANTALEJO a JQA!!! (hungarian cursing )
The Australian team was surprisingly good.

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

I am dissapointed at the penalty decision also.
I am also glad to hear that the Spanish press are giving him a hard time.
The goal was awarded 2 minutes after the game should have ended. Not good.
The Socceroo's should be proud though, despite the atrocious decisions the referee's have made throughout this tournament.
If it had been held in the US, I am sure Court cases would be pending.

Well done guys, You can come home with Dignity and your heads held high.

Mike.

[iceman (Mike)]

What a rotten way for it all to end.. contraversially at the hands of the ref again..

Poor Lucas Neill, he played an amazing world cup and that will be eating at him for years to come.

Havnig said that, Italy were clearly the better side.. even with only 10 players, they looked like scoring every time they made it near the box.. on the other hand Australia had 60% of posession and didn't even look like scoring.

Such a shame, if italy had legitimately scored during regulation play it wouldn't feel so crushing.

[matt]

Couldn't agree more Mike.

Would have been better if Italy scored a dozen fair goals rather that lose that way with seconds remaining

But I'm still full of pride with how the boys battled and carried themselves throughout their campaign.

Watch our FIFA world ranking jump after 2 fantastic weeks

[toetoe (Peter)]

Lygon Street, Carlton will be partying for a while.

[dhumpie]

Its not faiiirrrrrrr!!!!! The boys should have won seeing how well they played in the second half. If it had gone into extra time, I am sure they would have won...the italians looked very tired in the second half.

Darren

[xstream (John)]

We were robbed.
The standard of refereeing in this cup has been atrocious.

[Striker (Tony)]

After watching some of these games in the World cup I truly do know why I dont watch much soccer anymore.

1) Referees are a joke
2) Not enough goals to keep you interested
3) Their is more acting then game play
4) Aust didn't win...lol

Out of all the games I watched the referee's includding the sideline referees got the off side rule wrong 50% of the time and this was when the decission was crucial.....they really need to clear that part of the game up..get rid of the off side or only have off side in the square...makes for much more open game.

[Starcrazzy]

I don't agree that italy were the better side..sure they looked very threatening when they got close, but looking threatening and scoring abviously two different things...the reffereeing in the whole cup has been an absolute joke...i can't really describe my feelings on this family forum, but lets just say it was the worst display of international sport i have ever witnessed...we were dupped...a panelty shoot out would have been a very interesting thing considering italy have only won 1 out of 9 penalty shootouts..

[ving (David)]

eh... soccer schoccer!
shame the aussie boys didnt get further but what can ya do... next time huh!

[danielsun]

ABSOLUTELY SHATTERED
Cant beleive the game was decided by such a poor decision and by such a moron!!!!
I think some of the refs are drunk with power knowing the whole world is watching, like the way some of them punch that yellow or red cards in the air and prance around just to keep their heads on tv that bit longer!!!

[fringe_dweller]

WE WUS ROBBED!
this recently released image shows a clearer view of the incident, it makes more sense now

[Kieken]

Hehe, yeah, it's a shame that the aussies are out of the tournament. The referees are really to be ashamed of. How many red and yellow cards were drawn during the match between Portugal and Holland? I think it were 20 cards, bit crazy huh?

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

I also do not agree that Italy were the better side at all!

There are many ways to play a soccer game and win and this was Goose Hidinks brilliance that former coaches couldn't get their head around IMO.

Italy are clearly defense based with a bit of attacking brilliance, which is very conservative. Under the Goose Austalia are a more well rounded go for broke team with a bit of attacking brilliance, a bit of defense and lots of guts and determination. Throw everything at your oponent and wear them down. This tenacity and fearlessness was also clearly shown by the socceroos against the might of Brazil and they were unlucky not to score in that match against the No1 team in the World!.

Not all teams can be a Brazil or Argentina but a lion "can" be beaten (fair and square) by several smaller tenacious animals who individually have less strength but as a unit are very formidable = current Socceroos!

My father is Italian but I was well and truly behind the Aussie team as they have played in this WC with dignity, composure and steely purpose and against a backdrop of shocking refereeing decisions and for this we should all be very proud. Had that stupid penalty not been given, I and many others would not have been surprised to see Australia in the Semi finals of their first (for 30 yrs) WC finals!

Buuut Se la Vi

Ciao

Mike