I have supported Italy my whole life, but ethically it would be completely
wrong for me to go against Australia, I live here and was born here and
have also supported the socceroos forever, unlike many I flew to Sydney
afterwork to watch the qualifier and flew back at 5am the next day.

I hope Australia wins, but in a way I just can't lose, one of my teams
will be in the qtr finals. If Italy are out b4 the quarter or semi it is a
disgrace by their standards. If Aus go out it is a shame because on a good
day they have the commitment to beat nearly anyone.

Italy really haven't had to produce their best apart from game one where
they needed points vs Ghana and played reasonably well. US game was a
farce and Czech's had to win the other night but strangely rolled over and
let Italy stroll past them on the counter. It will be a different game
tonight, remember Italy are unbeaten in the last 20 games under Lippi and
on the way they have beaten Germany and Holland easily. They can play good
football when they need to, but also seldom excel when they are an
outright favourite, only doing just enough to win and looking always ahead
to the next fixture.

Oz has to play like they did vs Brazil, keep possesion on the edge of the
attacking third, and knowing Italy they will prob let them too. This time
Oz must be lethal when the half-chances come outside the box to do the
job. Italy have it all to do as favourites and the pressure is on them.
This is the match Italian-Australians can't lose, but I think the
socceroos can win it and I want them too. At the same time my head tells
me Italy will still get through.

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