3屆世界盃冠軍，本屆世界盃奪冠熱門球隊意大利將迎戰32年首次進入世界盃的澳大利亞隊。

　　意大利 自從1962年以來，成功進入每屆世界盃，過去21場國際比賽保持不敗，其中包括友誼賽中戰勝德國和荷蘭。

　　布豐堅持説，球隊不會受到國內醜聞的影響。小組賽只丟一球，還是一記烏龍球。內斯塔由於腹股溝傷勢問題已經確定不能在本場出賽，而馬特拉齊將繼續代替其出場，擔任中後衛的位置。被禁賽4場的德羅西仍然不能上場。

　　澳大利亞 埃默頓也因為2-2平克羅地亞的比賽中身背紅牌而不能上場。

　　施瓦策爾將代替上場表現不佳的卡拉奇重新回到門將位置，澳大利亞隊中現有三名球員在意甲效力，分別為卡拉奇（AC米蘭），佈雷夏諾（帕爾馬），格雷拉（帕爾馬）。

　　鏈結：http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblwc2006itaaus&prov=afp&type=lgns

　　原文：

　　Italy face Aussies in David and Goliath clash

　　by Stefano Blin

　　June 26, 2006

　　KAISERSLAUTERN (AFP) - The last 16 of the World Cup has thrown up a potential giant killing with three-time champions Italy taking on unfancied Australia here on Monday.

　　The Italians have been present at every World Cup since 1962 and are among the favourites to win the trophy, despite their recent failures in major tournaments.

　　They are unbeaten in their last 21 international matches, a run which includes friendly wins against World Cup hosts Germany and Holland.

　　The Australians are appearing at their first World Cup for 32 years, but their stirring first round performances suggest they could cause an upset.

　　And their coach, Guus Hiddink, knows what it takes to beat Italy having masterminded South Korea's shock 2-1 victory over the Azzurri in the second round of the 2002 World Cup.

　　"It's going to be fantastic," said Australia winger Harry Kewell.

　　"We weren't even supposed to get this far. A lot of people wrote us off, but we were quietly confident and we don't fear anybody.

　　"Against Italy we've got to out there and play our football and not worry about the opposition."

　　Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon is full of admiration for Hiddink, but predicted that this time the Dutchman's motivational skills will fall short.

　　"He's a great coach, we know that, and the results he has achieved speak for themselves," Buffon said.

　　"He's achieved historic results with mediocre teams. But I believe that on our part many things have changed in the past four years. We are confident of going through."

　　Italy are trying to cope with the distraction of the Serie A match-fixing scandal.

　　Four clubs - Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina, have been charged with match-fixing and could face relegation if found directly guilty of sporting fraud.

　　Thirteen of the Italy squad play for the clubs involved, but nobody in the 23-man group, or coach Marcello Lippi, is implicated.

　　Buffon insisted the scandal would not distract them from the tournament.

　　"It's the maximum for a player to play at the World Cup and we won't let anything spoil it," he said.

　　Australia are expecting Italy to be difficult to break down with the Azzurri conceding just one goal in the group stage, an own goal at that.

　　"Italy won't be giving a lot away and they're the kind of team that can protect a 1-0 lead well," said Blackburn Rovers defender Lucas Neill.

　　"So they will be looking to get a goal whenever they can and we'll be looking to keep it as tight as possible for as long as possible because we feel stamina-wise and physically we can match any team."

　　Alessandro Nesta has been ruled out for Italy after failing to recover from a groin strain. Marco Materazzi, who scored against the Czech Republic after coming off the bench to replace Nesta, will retain his place at the heart of the defence.

　　Midfielder Daniele De Rossi will also be absent for Italy as he serves the second of a four-match ban for elbowing the USA's Brian McBride in the face.

　　Australia, whose World Cup campaign has captured the imagination of a country where rugby and cricket rule, will be without Brett Emerton.

　　The dynamic Blackburn Rovers midfielder was sent off in the 2-2 draw against Croatia on Thursday.

　　"They're going to have to do it without me, but I'm sure they can do it," Emerton said.

　　"I think it's more nerve-wracking just sitting and watching than playing, so I'm not looking forward to that."

　　Mark Schwarzer will return in goal for Australia in place of Zeljko Kalac, who looked nervous against Croatia and gifted them a soft goal.

　　Three of the Australia squad play in Italy's Serie A: Kalac (AC Milan) and midfielders Marco Bresciano and Vincenzo Grella (both Parma).

　　Updated on Sunday, Jun 25, 2006 11:49 pm EDT

　　作者-佟杉杉

責編：佟杉杉