The Hindu : Vieri leaves Ecuador weary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 04, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

Vieri leaves Ecuador weary

SAPPORO JUNE 3. Muscular Italian striker Christian Vieri bullied his way into Ecuador's penalty area, scoring two first-half goals, to give the three-time champion an impressive 2-0 victory on Monday.

Italy looked solid throughout with the attacking duo of the stubble-cheeked Vieri and playmaker Francesco Totti in terrific form. Vieri powered his way through Ecuador's penalty area time and again, shouldering defenders aside, while Totti tapped him glorious balls.

``To score two goals in the first half of the first game — you feel good,'' Vieri said, with a satisfied smile. ``Playing together with Totti worked well. We have to be content,'' he said.

Vieri, picking up his goal-scoring form from where he left off in the last World Cup, used his powerful left foot to redirect a cross from Totti into the back of the net in the seventh minute.

Twenty minutes later, Vieri took control of a long pass and again beat Ecuador goalkeeper Jose Cevallos. This time, the Inter Milan striker's initial shot was partially blocked by Cevallos, but the ball kept moving toward the goal and Vieri calmly jogged toward it, tapping it in.

At France '98, Vieri also led Italy's attack, scoring five goals in five matches.

Ecuador, playing its first World Cup match on Monday, had trouble penetrating Italy's experienced defence throughout the match, and the much-touted Southampton forward Agustin Delgado failed to make an impression.

Ecuador coach Hernan Dario Gomez was disappointed, but not surprised.

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni contained any excitement. ``The early goal helped us and made it easier to score the second,'' he said. ``We didn't allow Ecuador any real chances.''

Midfielder Edison Mendez had one of the best chances for the surprise qualifier out of South America. But his blast from outside the area in the 52nd minute missed the mark.

Italy seemed content to let Ecuador control the ball in the second half, but made sure to stop the South Americans from creating any significant scoring chances.

Midfielder Cristiano Doni — making his World Cup debut — had Italy's best second-half chance, hitting the crossbar on a jumping attempt off a Totti corner kick in the 58th.

Tight-lipped

Most Italian players refused to sing the national anthem, irritated by criticism suggesting they don't know the lyrics.

The one player who did sing throughout was goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Midfielder Cristiano Doni and coach Giovanni Trapattoni also appeared to mouth along some of the words. Otherwise, there were tight lips all around.

Midfielder Gennaro Gattuso announced last week that the team would not sing before Italy's game against Ecuador.

The teams: Italy: Gianluigi Buffon, Christian Panucci, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro, Paolo Maldini (capt.), Gianluca Zambrotta, Damiano Tommasi, Luigi Di Biagio (Gennaro Gattuso, 69th minute), Cristiano Doni (Angelo di Livio, 65), Franceso Totti (Alessandro del Piero, 74), Christian Vieri.

Ecuador: Francisco Cevallos, Ulises de la Cruz, Ivan Hurtado, Augusto Poroso, Raul Guerron, Edwin Tenorio (Marlon Ayovi, 59), Alfonso Obregon, Edison Mendez, Clever Chala (Nicolas Asencio, 85), Alex Aguinaga (capt.) (Carlos Tenorio, 46), Agustin Delgado.

Referee: Brian Hall (United States).

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