Humbled Italy seek redemption

KAISERSLAUTERN, June 18, 2006 (AFP/GNA) - Italy are determined to make amends for their disastrous display against the USA by defeating the Czech Republic in their final first round match and reaching the World Cup's last 16.

The Italians were held to a 1-1 draw by Bruce Arena's battling side in a bad-tempered game here at the Fritz-Walter stadium on Saturday where three players were sent off - two for the US and one for Italy. The result means that all four teams in Group E, which also includes Ghana and the Czechs, still have a chance of making the first knockout round.

A draw against the Czechs will be enough to see Italy through, but the Azzurri players want a victory to restore their battered pride. "We've got to go for it and avoid making calculations," said tough-tackling midfielder Gennaro Gattuso. "We must win, even if a draw is sufficient. It's dangerous playing for a draw.

"We won't be hiding. It's time to keep our feet on the ground and let our football do the talking."

Alberto Gilardino, who put Italy ahead with a diving header only for Cristian Zaccardo to level the score with an own goal, was right behind Gattuso.

"Now we've got to beat the Czechs," said the AC Milan striker. "It's a shame I scored the goal that opened up the match, only to end up with a draw. But we're still top of the group and our destiny is in our own hands. We can do it."

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro insisted all was not lost. "We've made life difficult for ourselves, but we can still do well," he said.

"Against the US we suffered a lot, but we have to stay focussed." Italy coach Marcello Lippi blamed his team's lacklustre performance on tiredness.

"Obviously we expected a better result, but I feel we paid the price for the energy we used up in the Ghana match," he said. Italy's Daniele De Rossi was the first player to be sent off, shown a straight red card in the 28th minute for elbowing Brian McBride in the face.

Pablo Mastroeni followed him down the tunnel a minute before half time after clattering into Andrea Pirlo with a late lunge for another straight red.

The Americans were reduced to nine men a minute a minute after half time when Eddie Pope picked up his second yellow card. It was only the fourth time in the history of the World Cup that three players had been sent off in the same match.

Italy were unable to make their numerical advantage count for the remaining 44 minutes and Kasey Keller pulled off two superb saves to deny Alessandro Del Piero as the US held on for a share of the spoils. Keller picked up the man-of-the-match award, but paid tribute to his teammates.

"These guys bled today for our country and our team," he said. "I'm proud of everybody."

Italy's draw still left them top of the group on four points, followed by the Czech Republic and Ghana both on three and the USA on one.

Italy will qualify for the last 16 as group winners if they beat the Czechs. The Italians will also finish top if they draw with the Czechs and Ghana fail to beat the USA.