2002 World Cup (FIFA's Fraud)

Article Summary: An article the fraud which was the Japan/South Korea 2002 World Cup.

I personally believe that the 2002 World Cup which was held in Japan/South Korea was not only fixed but a product of the enormous corruption which many are now just starting to associate with football's world governing body; FIFA. In all this however I do not deny that I can not give concrete proof yet I do have or in at least in my opinion; sufficient reason to believe that this was most likely what did occur during the world cup which was Japan/South Korea 2002. It being a case that the FIFA wanted to see a Germany VS Brazil final and were going to do anything and everything in their power; fair or unfair to get such a final.



After all, Brazil and Germany were perhaps the two most successful footballing nations in the history of the world cup. Brazil having to their credit four world cup titles, one second place finish, two third place finishes and one fourth place finish. Brazil also being a team which had not only played in every world cup ever played but had not lost a qualifying match till qualifying for USA 94 when they lost by 2-0 to Bolivia. This indeed an impressive feat though perhaps qualifying for Brazil or at least till the 2002 world cup had been abundantly easy since they were not required to play more than 6 matches to do so and never against either Argentina or Uruguay. This given the fact that Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay were always placed as the head of their respective qualifying groups or at least till the 1998 world cup. It being for that particular world cup that South America's qualifying system was changed from being one of putting all ten nations in to three groups to having all of them in one large group in which the first four qualified with the nation which finished fifth also having a chance. This if they could get by a team from some part of the world which for every world cup would be different.



Brazil however for its part, was not required to qualify for France 98 since they won the title in 94 yet they did have to play elimination round matches to qualify to the 2002 world cup which lead to their losing more than one game out of the 18 they were required to play. It even being the first time that Brazil and Argentina were required to play each other in world cup qualification. Brazil however went on to qualify with not much in the way of trouble though some did criticize their not finishing in the top two spots though at the end of the day; this really held very little if any importance.



As for Germany, they had 3 world cup titles, 3 second place finishes, 2 third place finishes and 1 fourth place finish. Germany being the team which had played in more finals than any other apart from also being a nation which had only once failed to get past the first round and this being in a world cup played as far back as 38 when they did so as a united team with Austria. Germany and Brazil being the only teams which never failed to qualify to a world cup yet in contrast to Brazil, Germany had not played in every world cup yet not due to failure to qualify but reasons completely unconnected with football. Germany, being so dominant in qualifying that they had never even lost a single qualifying match or at least not till 85 when they lost by 1-0 to Portugal.



All of which making it clear that Germany and Brazil along with Italy and perhaps to some extent Argentina; were the most outstanding teams in the history of the world cups yet despite this fact and 16 world cups having gone by; Germany and Brazil had never played against in each other in a world cup. They of course had played each other in friendlies yet never in a world cup nor any official competition which naturally also included continental championships. It being easy to see given the above mentioned facts why a world cup match between Germany and Brazil was a more than desirable thing not only for football fans every where but for FIFA. As such a match would definitely attract world wide attention specially if it were to be in a world cup final.



Germany and Brazil also being the only world champions who had never played each other before which further added to the interest in seeing such a match. This perhaps being most odd yet it was precisely the case that these two teams which had been in so many world cups had never played each other but such had been the reality. It being in Uruguay 30 that Germany did not participate while Brazil was eliminated by Spain in the first round of Italy 34. France 38 would see Brazil go on to the semifinals while Germany (than playing with Austria) was eliminated in the first round by Switzerland. Brazil 50 would not see Germany send a team due to being temporarily suspended from world cup competition due to World War II. Switzerland 54 would see Germany win their first world cup title while Brazil was eliminated by Hungary in the quarterfinals and would not have played against Germany till the final anyway. Sweden 58 could have seen a Germany Vs Brazil final if Germany had managed to beat Sweden in the semifinal yet they were defeated by a score of 3-1. Chile 62 saw Brazil win their second title while Germany was eliminated by Yugoslavia in the quarterfinals. England 66 saw Germany get to the final while Brazil was eliminated in the first round by both Hungary and Portugal. Mexico 70 came close to producing a Germany Vs Brazil final yet Italy managed to beat Germany by 4-3 in the semifinal. Germany 74 however also repeated a similar situation as Brazil would have met Germany in the final if they had just been able to beat Holland yet they ended up losing by 2-0 in a match which only a victory would have sufficed for them to make it to the final. Argentina 78 would have produced an encounter between Germany and Brazil for third place if Germany had only managed a draw with Austria yet it was Austria who on that occasion defeated Germany by 3-2. Spain 82 found Germany in the final yet Brazil was eliminated by Italy in a match in which all the South Americans needed to do was draw in order to get in to the semifinals. Mexico 86 perhaps was the closest Brazil and Germany ever came to meeting as they so easily could have met in the semifinals and would have had Brazil beaten France in the quarterfinals. This a match which ended with a French victory in penalties after both teams finished tied at 1 a piece after 120 minutes yet it was Zico who during the game missed a penalty for Brazil. Italia 90 would see Germany make it to the final yet it was Maradona's Argentina to beat Brazil in the round of 16. USA 94 saw Brazil obtain its fourth title while Germany was left out of the tournament when Bulgaria defeated them by a score of 2-1. France 98 saw Brazil reach the final while Germany was again eliminated in quarterfinals though on that particular occasion it was by Croatia.



So close had Brazil and Germany been to playing one another yet never had they met. It even being strange that Germany had met Argentina twice in the final while Italy and Brazil had also met each other twice in the final. Italy and Argentina even having met each other in five consecutive world cups while Brazil had met Argentina four times with three of them being in as many world cups yet never had Germany and Brazil met. Of course world cups will always attract attention no matter who plays but in all honesty, it is when those teams which have a world cup title or more meet that the biggest interest is aroused. This being important in a world cup which did not draw as many fans as previous world cups perhaps given its greater distance from Europe and South America yet despite reason; match attendance at 2002 world cup was low. This perhaps being the reason why FIFA needed South Korea to get as far in to the tournament as they did even if it meant having referees blatantly favor them with completely biased calls.



As one can see it is easy to see why FIFA would have wanted a final between Germany and Brazil yet how would they get it? Naturally by having both teams get to the final and helping them along the way as they clearly did. It being Brazil who in their first match barely managed to beat Turkey by a score of 2-1 and only due to being given a penalty for a foul which was clearly committed at least one meter outside the penalty box. Brazil, naturally being in a group which could not really have been any easier with Costa Rica and China being the other two teams in the group. Germany for their part were also in an easy group with Ireland, Cameroon and Saudi Arabia which though perhaps not as easy as it seemed on paper did not represent any major problems in their qualifying to the next round though Ireland did provided a surprise in holding them to a 1-1 draw.



FIFA in my opinion and based on what I could see, defiantly wanted a Germany Vs Brazil final and were going to get all the teams which could interfere with this plan out of the way. It being teams like Italy and Argentina who ended up in most difficult first round groups. Argentina being in the same group with Sweden, England and Nigeria while Italy found itself with Mexico, Croatia (third in France 98) and Ecuador. Argentina would be eliminated in the first round after losing to England on a penalty which was a clear case of diving. This while Italy had two perfectly good goals not given against both Croatia and Mexico after which equally appalling decisions by the referee would allow South Korea to eliminate them from the world cup.



Spain also being a team which might have interfered with FIFA's plan to have Germany and Brazil meet in the final yet they were eliminated by South Korea; when the referee unjustly annulled two perfectly legitimate goals. This making it clear to me that FIFA was going to get this dream final by cheating every team out off the competition whom they felt had any clear chance of upsetting either team. Brazil and Germany not even being teams of great quality or at least not like they had been in the past. It being a case of both of them getting by more on their name and reputation than the kind of football which had once earned them these two.



Brazil and Germany as can be expected would go on to the next round with Brazil beating Belgium by 2-0 though not before a legitimate goal was not given to Belgium during the match which would have given them a 1-0 lead in the game. Germany for their part beat Paraguay without any problems or controversy yet only be 1-0 with a goal scored very late in the match. The quarterfinals would see Germany beat the USA by 1-0 though not without assistance from a handball by Frings which prevented an American goal. It then being Germany's turn to benefit from a referee's "mistake".



At this point, Brazil and Germany were in the semifinal against both Turkey and South Korea in what promised to be very easy matches for both of them. Germany and Brazil clearly having it in them to defeat both South Korea and Turkey though these two teams did prove more difficult to beat than most would have given either one credit at the start. In fact, both South Korea and Turkey losing by 1-0 with South Korea at no point in the match; contrary to their previous matches being helped by biased calls.



It was after these two semifinals ended the way most would have predicated that Germany and Brazil were in the final. This being what most people wanted and to be honest; it is not that I minded seeing these two giants of world football playing each other yet I feel that this was arranged by FIFA. A dream final had arrived at the cost of unfairly eliminating other teams like Spain, Italy and Argentina.

Swimming Pool Maintenance is Very Important

Article Summary: Swimming pool maintenance for health reasons of the users is more than just adding chemicals into the water and brushing the edges for algae. In addition, the water can become contaminated by tanning lotions, bodily secretions and urine and feces.

Swimming pool maintenance for health reasons of the users is more than just adding chemicals into the water and brushing the edges for algae. In addition, the water can become contaminated by tanning lotions, bodily secretions and urine and feces.



There's a delicate balance of chemicals that must go into the water to be able to maintain its delicate PH balance. An excessive amount of chlorine or acid can cause water to turn green and so the chemical known as pool shock will return it to blue, clear water.



Most pool cleaning supply companies carry everything that is required to keep pool water safe, sanitary and maybe most importantly, really clear and blue. A swimming pool test kit is a good idea to have readily available. It enables the owner to test the water and know how a lot of what chemicals the pool needs.



Additionally they sell replacement skimmer baskets, sand for any pumps and vacuum hoses. A swimming pool net is also a great item to have on hand. This way, the owner can skim the surface of the water for bugs along with other debris that inevitably end up in the pool which the skimmer doesn't catch.



Usually, swimming pool cleaning materials go based on the type of floor the pool has. A scrub brush is good for vinyl lines as well as concrete bottoms even though these surfaces usually inhibit the growth of algae, a great scrub two or three times each week will allow for vacuuming just once a week.



Fiberglass liners are by far the most cost effective liners for pools. They have got very low maintenance costs besides the pool chemicals which are required for any type of liner. Concrete liners sometimes need to be resurfaced which could cost up to ten thousand dollars and vinyl liners need extreme care and caution. A dog's toenail can tear it that can cost hundreds, if not thousands to replace.



Most pool cleaning materials can be found at any mass merchant retailer and hardware store. Swimming pool builders usually have a list of connections for chemicals and replacement parts as well as a good water source. It usually takes thousands of gallons to fill a pool so it may be beneficial to have a water supplier on hand for those occasions. Generally there may also be occasions that the water needs to be drained and replaced.



It is good to always have back-ups of everything including the test kits you need to test the pool for chemical use. Amongst the swimming pool world, a blue, clear pool is a happy one and proper care and maintenance can go far in lessening the costs of replacing liners and such. Pools are not only for the elite anymore; they can be for everyone and can give you a wonderful fun filled weekend for everybody. In addition to cleaning a swimming pool regularly, the patrons of the pool can be confident that everyone using swimming lessons Houston is in clean water.

Fight Global Warming ADGRPID:|SERVTYPE: Disappointed With Weight Loss? Try out These Fresh Thoughts!

Article Summary: You'll Be Able To wait all you want but the pounds will not come off by themselves. You Can plan and prepare all you want but until you do something, nothing will happen. Do you need assistance? Take these guidelines and use them to your advantage. Do not keep wasting time with wondering what it would be like if you ever did. Read on.

At one time or another, everyone has to lose a few pounds. It can be frustrating and hard to do this on your own because you're not sure what to do or how to start. Having some help to get started is appreciated but not always available. Luckily, you have the following hints to help get you started on your weight loss journey.



To avoid eating more than you should, only eat when you hear your stomach growling. There are many people who eat out of nervousness, boredom, or some feeling other than hunger. Waiting until your stomach is growling is an assurance that you will only be eating when your body needs it.



Becoming an active person when trying to slim down is a great idea, and an easy way you'll be able to increase your activity is to become a social butterfly. If You can attend festivals, visit flea markets or swap meets, or participate in any activity where you're out and about, make going out your alternative to watching TV.



If You Ever have a tolerance, eat more foods filled with capsaicin. Capsaicin is what makes peppers hot. Jalapenos, habeneros, and serrano peppers are capsaicin filled foods. Capsaicin decrease appetite which will push you to eat less. Certain peppers like cayenne supposedly have additional health benefits like improving the circulatory system and lowering blood pressure.



A great tip to help you get slimmer is to familiarize yourself with restaurants' menus. Most fast food restaurants today have a spreadsheet with all of their nutritional information on display. By using this information as a guide, you can actually make healthier choices even at a fast food restaurant.



Throw away or donate the clothes that you used to wear when you were a larger size. Keeping those clothes promotes the idea that it is OK to regain the weight, and that there will still be clothes to wear. By removing this clothing, you force yourself to move forward with your weightloss.



Packing your lunch each day can be a crucial component of any weight-loss plan. By choosing to bring your lunch to work, you determine how much, and what type, of food you pack. Portion control is very important in helping individuals maintain a healthy weight and stay on track with their weight-loss plan.



Feeling hungry causes us to eat. Eating causes us to gain weight. Feeling full reduces our feeling of hunger. So a way to slim down is to full more often. One way you possibly can "trick" your body into feeling full more often is by eating spicy foods that have more capsaicin in them, such as foods lightly spiced with cayenne or jalapeno pepper. No need to overdo it, just enough to burn a little will do fine.



Eat food containing chili peppers. The chili peppers increase your metabolism, enabling you to use up food more easily. Your blood flow increases due to your body trying to counter the heat, causing your body to use more energy. If You Happen To combine chilies with other strong spices such as garlic and ginger in meals, it will help to aid your weightloss.



So now you have some thoughts. Now you know a little more than you did. Make sure you understand that it is never enough. It Is Possible To always know more and above all else you can actually do more. You are the only one who will ever stop you. Take what you know and make it work for you. It is in your control.

Memories Of Italy In Japan/South Korea 2002

Article Summary: An article on how Italy was cheated by FIFA out of their chance to progress to the final of the 2002 World Cup.

The year was 2002 and Italy as is always their habit, would be playing in the world cup which on that particular year would be played in Japan and South Korea. Italy having been dominant in recent years despite not winning any titles. It being in the last world cup that Italy lost to France in the quarterfinals in a match which required penalties before the French team was able to advance to the semifinals. Italy would go on to give the eventual champion, France their most difficult match. As only the Italian team was able to take the French in to penalties.



Italy would go on two years later to lose to France in the final of the European cup by 2-1 yet not without France needing a last minute goal in regulation time; before winning it in overtime. Italy had come so close that I could almost taste being European Champions yet it was not to be. Italy however despite losing had a strong team and would be a contender once again for the title like they had on so many occasions in the past. Italy's team being comprised off such notable players such as Vieri, Totti, Inzaghi, Buffon, Cannavaro, Maldini and Nesta yet above all they were solid as a team as well.



Italy had drawn a relatively difficult group yet I was confident that they could go through to the next round even if gone were the days when a team could go in as a wild card. Ecuador, Mexico and Croatia definitely were worthy opponents yet Italy was of such a strength that this really did not represent any great danger. Ecuador, a team which I was glad to see in a world cup as I had such fond memories of my charming friend from Guayaquil; Vito Munoz. Vito Munoz perhaps the most famous sports commentator in Ecuador and a man whose knowledge of football was truly admirable.



Italy's first match at Japan/South Korea would be against Ecuador and how I remember seeing it at San Lorenzo. This the first time I would watch a match in this place which had already become my favorite Italian restaurant in Warsaw. This also being the first time an Italian football match had drawn a large crowd since it had only been the previous year in which it had opened to the public. For my part, it was interesting as I looked about to see all the people I knew so well and had seen on so many occasions.



So long had it been since I had seen an Italian football match among so many fellow Italians that I really felt that Stadium atmosphere of all supporting the same team. It being my Italian blue jersey which drew the attention and to a certain extent admiration of those about me as we watched the game.



As for Ecuador, they were a team which had qualified for the first time to a world cup and would definitely be looking to make a good impression. Italy being perfectly aware of this which made them come out most aggressively on the attack while I ate the pasta I had ordered and truly felt myself in the society of Italians. Their cheering being not so much loud but spirited and even clever I might say in the choruses they repeated.



As for the Italian team, they were a new one and did it ever show with dynamic players like Totti, Gattuso and Vieri. Italy even coming close to a goal very early yet just a minute later, at the six minute mark of the game; it was Vieri who blasted the ball past Ecuador's goalkeeper Sevallos to give Italy a 1-0 lead. There is something about celebrating goals scored by one's team which makes it all the more special which is precisely what it was like when all those at San Lorenzo; who supported Italy shouted out Italy's goal. San Lorenzo being packed like I had only seen it for the New Year's eve party which had welcomed the year it was.



A bombastic goal by Vieri in his style of the strong bull taking charge yet it was Totti who beat the Ecuadorian defense and managed to spot him with the perfect pass to put Italy in the lead and make all of us relax. Italy was winning after all and does that ever make life taste better along with the pasta, fish and wine which was in front of my friend Piotr Gorstein and me. Piotr Gorstein being a reporter friend of mine who is one of the few people I have ever known who shared my devotion to history.



All was wonderful yet best of all, Italy was playing a great game. Of course, I knew players like Tenorio were dangerous yet Italy's defense seemed to be in control. It being at the 24 minute mark of the game that Italy got their second. This time Vieri got on the end of a long pass and beat his marker to be left one on one with Ecuador's goalkeeper; whom he simply powered past. Vieri kicking the ball in to him which bounced over him and just as the ball was about to go in for a goal Vieri ran on to it to make sure that it would go in. Italy 2 Ecuador 0, what a great start to the world cup as well as our hopes that Italy would be raising their fourth world cup. I looked around and saw all the smiling faces as Italy had never lost a game in which they were winning by 2 goals and on this occasion they might even add more.



Of course Vieri had scored his second of the day but it had also been Nesta's defensive effort which made the goal possible along with Di Biagio long pass. It seeming as if Italy was a perfect machine which could find Vieri at will. The half however ended at 2-0 with all of us thinking more goals would come and though chances were not lacking; the match ended with a score of Italy 2 Ecuador 0.



Italy had won and had looked so good doing it that I thought Italy might become the first champion of the new millennium and after all why not? Italy had a good team and nobody else had looked particularly good. Italy also having defeated a very good team from Ecuador which in fact had had to defeat Brazil to get to the world cup.



The next match came against Croatia and by then I had gotten used to this wonderful feeling at San Lorenzo. So much food on the tables and at prices which were reasonable while large TV screens were to be found all around. It was however in this game that certain things would become clear to me which I feared and one of them being that Italy's most powerful opponent would not be any specific team but the referees. They clearly being against us.



Croatia had had a good team in the previous world cup in which they had come in third yet their 2002 team was clearly not as good. Italy even dominating in the first half though they did not score. A draw however would not be bad yet we were all hoping for a victory against Croatia which would practically guarantee our going in to the next round. The second half started and a goal came when Vieri's powerful header found the back of the net off a Doni cross which he managed to beat a Croatian defender for.



Italy was on its way to getting three points or so did it seem yet Olic managed to get an equalizer for Croatia when a center from the right side of Italy's goal bounced just right for him to beat Buffon with a nicely placed shot. Olic anticipating better than Materazzi, who was fooled by the bounce. Italy and Croatia were tied at one each with 73 minutes gone from the match. This not really being a problem yet it was not long before matters would get worse.



It being at the 73 minute mark that worried faces started to appear all around me as Hapail scored one of the perhaps strangest and most unstoppable goals I had ever seen in my life. It being a run down the left side of Italy's defense, around Materazzi which found a well placed defensive header yet Croatia sent the ball back in to the penalty box. It being a divided ball between Materazzi and Hapail which the Croatian managed to get to almost as if he were falling backward when he kicked it yet not with any real power though it took the oddest deflection of Materazzi and ended up being the perfect lob over Buffon. The ball going in to the back of the net off the post. As the ball simply went way above Buffon's reach; who was left with absolutely no chance what so ever.



Italy was down by 1-2 yet we still had time and the players to make use of it. It being at the 80 minute mark of the game that a pass was floated in to the box by Toni, to find an acrobatic Inzaghi; who flicked it over for Vieri's diving header to put Italy back in the game. Screams of goal were heard as Italy had their point yet they were short lived. Vieri was judged to have been off-sides which looking at the replay, he clearly was not though this did not matter as the line judge held up his flag. Naturally, all of us at San Lorenzo were clearly upset as we looked at the instant replay which proved our points while some less polite tongues hurled verbal abuse at the referee of the kind I can imagine he was already getting from those Italian fans at the stadium.



A bad call but Italy had suffered from these before as was the case in their match against Nigeria when Zola was ejected yet never had I seen Italy have such a perfect goal taken away. Of course there was nothing any of us could do or our team for that matter yet some of us saw it as an omen of things to come. It being ten minutes later that perhaps the play which really got us angry came when Materazzi sent a long ball in to the penalty box which somehow managed to go in for a goal. This without a single player even touching it. What a spectacular goal it had been as the ball had traveled such a long distance with nobody even being able to touch it. The goalkeeper being more worried about who would get on to the ball than the ball itself which went in to the back of the net with so much agony.



Materazzi had redeemed himself or so it seemed yet again the line judge raised his flag claiming that Inzaghi had committed a foul with his elbow or pushed off but looking at the replay; it was clear that this had not been the case. It in fact being Croatia's defender, who tried to block Inzaghi with his arm while all Inzaghi did was try to free himself of a defender's arm with his own. It clearly being the Croatian defender who was trying to hold Inzaghi yet the same line-judge (as if paid by some) wrongly ruled against Italy. All of which making it clear that something or somebody was against us yet for reason's we knew not.

A lot of controversy during the days which preceded Italy's match against Mexico. Many feeling there was a conspiracy against us yet we were still optimistic of our chances to qualify to the next round. Specially since all we needed was a draw against Mexico. Naturally providing that Ecuador either tied or won against Croatia.



The match against Mexico was special at San Lorenzo and not just because Italy would be playing in a world cup but because some of the local TV stations would be coming around before the game to interview some of us. Our beloved, San Lorenzo would be on the news as one of the many places where one could feel the atmosphere of the world cup yet ours was perhaps slightly unique at the time. San Lorenzo, a place where one definitely got a sensation that this place was totally in favor of Italy. As this was the clear message our banners and flags sent out to any who ventured in to our cozy Italian place of gathering and what a lovely day it was too. All being as it should for a world cup yet at this point we were starting to see that there was definitely a conspiracy against us.



San Lorenzo was just as nice as it always was though on this occasion they had made a very special dish for the cameras. The name of which escapes me yet I do remember it being offered to all who entered San Lorenzo and at a relatively low price. The mood was one of festivity on that very hot Warsaw day which would see us sweat and suffer yet more from this match than the weather. I even remember what I and a friend of mine said to the camera that Italy could win if the referee simply called it the way he should yet this we were not sure of anymore. After all, one bad call could be an accident yet two in the same match had to be more than just a mistake. These two mistakes not being of the kind which incorrectly gives away corners or even free-kicks but of the variety which took away two perfectly good goals. This going beyond Zola's unjust red card in USA 94 and to something which to us seemed like a plot against Italian football.



Italy in fact had never played either Croatia or Ecuador before but Mexico we had faced twice before with our first match ending in a 4-1 victory for Italy. It being in USA 94 that Italy and Mexico would meet again yet on that occasion it would be a score of 1-1 to send both teams in to the next round. Would the score repeat itself and both Italy and Mexico go through, well this none of us knew for sure but we were definitely hoping for it if not an outright victory.



There definitely was excitement about as the game started yet in contrast to Italy's two previous matches, many of us were focusing more on how the referee would behave toward us than the opponent we had in front of us. Naturally, we aware that Mexico was no longer a team which Italy could easily beat yet in all honesty, we did feel that an Italian team playing at its best and with no referee mistakes; should be able to beat Mexico. As for the food on that day, it was something in the way of seafood; naturally prepared in the Toscana way. San Lorenzo, taking pride in not only Italy's legendary cuisine but in the delightful manner in which it was interpreted in the northern region of Tuscany.



San Lorenzo had truly come to life and did it ever show as we not only felt the atmosphere of an authentic Italian feast but the attention of the whole of Poland. This due to the TV cameras which were about in an attempt to capture the passion Italians are famed for. Thus creating a scenario in which the media was covering us as we watched the game. This making us in a way feel like celebrities as we were pretty much sure that we would make it on the evening news.



A goal came when Totti found an unmarked Inzaghi in the box just 12 minutes in to the game and screams did come of goal which the cameras about managed to catch. Italy was winning and on its way to the next round or so we thought till the line-judge's flag reared its ugly head one more time. Off-sides, naturally! What else could it be? It did not matter that every reply demonstrated that the goal was as legitimate as they get but what was of consequence was that FIFA had clearly decreed that no longer would we be allowed to score goals. Some of us feeling frustration while others had come to terms with our reality on the field which would no longer be decided by what our players managed but how much the referees allowed.



I, by then while others hurdled insults at the referee and at the world; started to wonder if we would ever be given any of the goals we scored. This after all was the third good goal in a row which was being taken away and in two separate matches and by two different linesmen. The goal however was nice and showed Inzaghi's quick decisive moves in the box in not wasting as much as a second in setting up and shooting. It seeming as if Inzaghi could do both in one single move which made him or should have made him; all the more dangerous had the referee's calls been on the square.



The food was without doubt wonderful yet this match was not going our way though perhaps this was what we expected and even wanted. The competition of working hard for a win even if things did not always go the way we wanted so we could cheer loudly when they did yet perhaps it is too much to ask a team to have to fight against unwilling referees. This specially against a team which did have it in them to score goals as was the case with Mexico; who had players as capable as Blanco and Borghetti.



Borghetti getting on to the end of a perfect floating pass in to the box which he flickered past Buffon and in to the corner of the Italian net to give Mexico the lead. Italy at that point was not only not winning but were trailing by 1-0. Borghetti had turned around just perfectly to catch the ball as it was coming in and weather or not he was trying to aim where he did or simply keep it from going out, was that which did not matter; as the end result saw the ball go ever Buffon's head and in for a goal. Buffon not really being too far off his line or even out of place but the placement of the ball being just too perfect while the trajectory of the shot was one which saw the ball almost take a bend in the air as it made its way in to the net. This goal being similar to Croatia's second in Italy's last match. Those of the kind which rarely come yet when they do are those which can not be stopped.



Italy was down yet despair did not come since it had not been the first time and definitely would not be the last that Italy would find itself behind in the scoreboard. The half however did end with Italy trailing by 1-0 and all of us wondering what we needed to do get a goal apart from just scoring it cleanly. Another factor about this game was that it was the third time we were seeing Italy play as a group and by then we had grown used to each other along with our reactions to not only football itself but the Italian team and their players. It being clear that each of us supported Italy in his or her own way and while some did it with constant shouting others through constant observation yet the result was the same. There even being those who apart from wanting Italy to win cheered on certain players due personal taste or because that particular player played for a their chosen team. This being the case with Totti whom naturally Roma fans followed while Juventus's fans clearly followed Del Piero as they had once done with Roberto Baggio.



The second half started and did Mexico ever come close to a second goal yet just as the ball was about to go in; it was cleared by an alert Maldini. The play however was a nice one which saw Avelardo pass the ball to Blanco for a classic give and go yet the shot was weak. So close to being cast out of the world cup had we came yet we were still in it. Montella would get a spectacular goal when Mexico's goalkeeper came off his line, only to be perfectly lobbed yet by then I had gotten used to seeing Italy's goal not counted due to ghost off-sides; visible only to anti-Italian referees. Many were upset yet I had simply accepted the injustice about as that which I could not alter though I did wish to.



I could see Italy going out of the world cup and it was strange because my sentiments were not in the least involved with weather or not we could get an equalizing goal or perhaps even two to win it but if the line-judge's whims would allow them. A goal however did come when a ball sent in to the penalty box found the diving head of Del Piero yet mine was not to celebrate given the four goals in a row which had been falsely ruled off-sides. Italian players started to run after Del Piero yet I felt wisdom indicated under these circumstances that it would be wiser to wait a minute before feeling cheerful over a goal which might easily be disallowed any second for any reason. The goal however stood and I knew it was the one which would get us through to the next round as not only was Ecuador not going to lose against Croatia; they were even going to win. This making it automatic that Italy and Mexico would both progress to the next round.



As for the match, it ended at 1 a piece and Italy did go through yet I felt that it should have been with a record of 3 victories and 8 goals scored instead of the 1 victory, 1 defeat, 1 draw and the 4 goals we were allowed. The evening however was calm as we watched on TV how we looked on camera. It being myself and my friend, Enrrico Buscema who got the most camera attention on the local channels for our comments regarding not only Poland but its lovely ladies. As for San Lorenzo, the cameras and television had been most kind and considerate in showing not only the great atmosphere but the delightful cooking all us knew so well.



The next game would be against South Korea and again we were back in full force with the certainty that we definitely could and should beat South Korea though not with the kind of naivety which might blind us to the fact that we could also lose. The atmosphere was as always in San Lorenzo though this time along with the flags and banners, there was an urgency about my Italian friends. As if their level of seriousness and devotion had increased now that we were in the part of the tournament where winning meant going on and losing signified elimination. This being something I felt as soon as I entered San Lorenzo yet it was not in anything said or done but in the eyes of all those about; who seemed to be declaring how the real world cup was about to commence.



The game began and right away we knew that this was going to be a long day for us and our team. A penalty right from the get go given for what in fact was contact yet football does allow for such actions in the box given that if a penalty were called every time something of the sort happened; then football would become like basketball. There being perhaps even more penalties in football than there are free throws in basketball. An Italian player collided with a Korean in the penalty box while both were going for the ball. How could this be a penalty since it was a 50/50 ball which both had equal rights to go for? This however was a world cup where the rule book for some had been cancelled. The call was made right away and did it ever send those about me in to a rage yet I did say that it still was not a goal.



It was actually while all were waiting for the penalty to be taken that I noticed the signs about the stadium reminding Italians about the 66 world cup in which North Korea had been Italy. This a match which had become historical in which North Korea had defeated Italy by 1-0 and went on to the quarterfinals in place of Italy. Were they hoping to gain psychological advantage from such a memory or perhaps not allow us to forget that Koreans (even if from another country) had it in them to beat us? This really not being so important at the time as I did not ponder it beyond a passing thought as the penalty was not long in coming. Buffon coming up big as he saved Ahn Jung-Hwan's penalty and kept Italy in the match. Many pointing toward me that I had claimed that it would not be a goal though all I had said was that it might not go in. This perhaps not being overly important yet some did see me as a bit of a prophet then. I, for my part remembering that South Korea had been given an unfair penalty earlier against the US which they also missed which made me of the idea that the same might reoccur.



Italy attacked with speed and skill and where the Koreans had the first; it was in the second department where they lacked. It being with clear fouls which Ecuadorian referee, Moreno naturally failed to see that they stopped Italian attacks. Regarding Moreno, he would eventually be suspended by FIFA and his country's federation for match fixing and is presently serving time in prison in the USA. This after being caught at Kennedy airport in New York with six kilograms of heroin in his underwear yet that like they say is another story.



The match continued at 0-0 yet it did not take long for Vieri to score and give Italy the lead. A typical Vieri goal off a header, putting the ball in the back of the net and strangely enough on the way he received the same kind of "foul" which gave Korea a penalty. Many claiming in jest that they wanted the penalty instead of the goal while Vieri for his part had just tied Baggio and Rossi for most world cup goals scored in a career by an Italian player. This goal in fact being Vieri's ninth overall world cup goal and fourth at Japan/South Korea 2002.



Italy was winning which created the perhaps false illusion among some that those errant or biased calls which hurt Italy so much in their two previous matches; were a thing of the past. This clearly not being what was taking place yet for the time being; there had been at least a certain amount of justice. Italy was in the lead by 1-0 and all looked like it might be Italy to progress in to the next round against either Ireland or Spain or least such was the picture one got at the end of the first half.



Italy was ahead and as we talked about the first half, there was a feeling that we could definitely win and even should though perhaps optimism was not overly high given all that had been with referees. The second half got under way and again tensions rose as the match continued. Italy trying to go on the attack though it was clear that fouls were not going to be given for Italy yet their lead seemed secure or at least till the 88th minute of the match. It being a Pannuci mistake which lead to Korea's goal and the one which would send the game in to overtime.



Of course one could also say that Italy had wasted some scoring chances yet the referee had been a part of Italy's problem. Overtime seemed to be upon us as the last minutes were being played with a score of 1-1. Vieri even managing one last chance which perhaps he should have scored on but never the less overtime it would be. This perhaps where Italy was really cheated as was Spain in the next game. It being on a pass to Tomasi that he could have scored on but was judged to have been on off-sides though all the replays show that he was not. Tomasi not even getting off a shot on goal yet it would not have counted had he scored. All of which adding to our tension yet what perhaps was most controversial came when Song Chong-Gug collided in the penalty box with Totti and though in all frankness none of us thought it to be a penalty; it was also not a case of him diving to get a penalty. Totti was given his marching orders though perhaps with so little time in the match this made little difference. Specially since nobody really felt there had been a penalty anyway yet it was an indication that Italy was being targeted to lose on that day by forces superior even to their football.



Anxious moments all around yet it was at the 117 minute mark of the match that Seol Ki-Hyeon headed home the game winner to give South Korea the win. A golden goal which ended the sudden death overtime and the match as well. Thus placing South Korea in the quarterfinals and Italy unfairly out of the competition. All of which leaving us speechless as a bucket of freezing water had impacted on us. This after all, was a hokey style sudden death in which one goal brought everything to an end and as we sat around not knowing what to do or say; it was Buscema's words "siami fouri" (we're out) which still ring in my ear till this very day. We in fact, were out and though I would like to claim it other wise; the goal was legitimate in every way. This in spite of much of the game being all to the contrary.



Seol Ki-Hyeon scoring a great goal which even got him in trouble with his Italian team at the time which unjustly traded him for having scored against Italy. I not seeing this as an attempt to obtain justice but its negative form commonly known as "revenge". Italy lost and for us it was a case of going home after paying the bill with not much being said amongst ourselves. As if San Lorenzo had become a funeral which to a certain extent it had. Tears being held back yet there was just a sense that we all wanted to get out and go home as soon as possible.

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