韓国ふざけんな

BTW, Can you Japs read English?

I heard Japs are the worst English-speakers in the world.

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SA Guest Editorial: Good Riddance Ital

06/18/2002. In 1966 it was North Korea that sent Italy home from the World Cup. Legend has it that the Azzuri were greeted by angry fans throwing tomatoes at the airport upon their return to Italy. In 2002, the hosts South Korea sent the cocky Italians home and I, for one, am glad. Bring on the tomatoes and keep throwing them until Italian football improves in attitude and performance.

For years, the Italians have prided themselves on their ability to score a goal and then defend it. The style, called "catenaccio", has been practiced on both the national level and Italian club football level since it came into vogue in the mid-sixties. Don't get me wrong; I am not here to debate the success of Italian football. Italy has always produced outstanding footballers and has had near unprecedented success at the national level. But, upon closer review, the score once and defend attitude hasn't been as successful as you might think. In nearly 50% of the matches that Italy has held a 1-0 lead in the World Cup, they have conceded a goal. Also, the technique itself would not be so disturbing if it was delivered in a more positive way.

While I admire organized defensive soccer, the Italians have taken their defensive system to a cynical level that has done much to destroy what makes football "the beautiful game." Italy has always had gifted players but they also have a disturbing tendency to play a most distasteful brand of soccer. They dive and fake injury more than any team of their skill level. They also grab shirts, throw elbows and deliver more cheap tackles than any other team of their skill level. If they are fouled (or even if they are not) they berate officials from the 1st minute until stoppage time. And once they score, you might as well turn off the television because you know they will defend, foul, complain and most likely win the game. Fortunately, that didn't happen today.

Had the Italians kept pressing, they could have buried South Korea. Instead, they moved further and further back as the match progressed and eventually, their defensive posture wasn't enough. History should have helped them in their selection of tactics. Remember they went out on penalty kicks in France 1998 and again in USA 1994. The same thing happened to them in Euro 2000.

In Euro 2000 it might have been a combination of tactics and arrogance that led to the two late goals by France in the final. Thierry Henry, who scored the game winner in Euro 2000, said, "I was pretty annoyed the Italians were already thinking of victory. They were clapping hands and high-fiving. It was bothering me so I was really happy when the ball went in."

Fortunately, for soccer fans, South Korea beat Italy today with a refreshing brand of football. I hope the attitude of the world press embraces this match as Korean victory instead of an Italian loss. The press, after all, should learn from the match that negative and cynical style isn't always successful.