By: Bhoy - 19th June 2002 at 14:44
RE: bye bye Italy
how about this for pettiness…
Italian club Peruggia have sacked their player, Ahn Jung Hwan, who scored the Golden Goal for Korea against Italy yesterday.
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(from www.footballunlimited.co.uk)
Ahn sacked by bitter Perugia
Staff and agencies
Wednesday June 19, 2002
South Korea’s golden goal hero Ahn Jung-hwan has had his contract terminated by Serie A club Perugia after his goal eliminated Italy from the World Cup finals.
Quoted in Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, Perugia chairman Luciano Gaucci said: “That gentleman will never set foot in Perugia again.”
Italy has reacted with fury to yesterday’s shock 2-1 defeat to South Korea, accusing the referee and football’s ruling body FIFA of fixing the match.
Ahn, who missed a penalty earlier in the match, was hailed as a national hero when he headed home the golden goal winner in the 116th minute.
But his goal was viewed in a different light at Perugia, in central Italy, where he has been viewed as an under-achiever during his stay at the club.
“He was a phenomenon only when he played against Italy. I am a nationalist and I regard such behaviour not only as an affront to Italian pride but also an offence to a country which two years ago opened its doors to him,” Gaucci was quoted as saying.
“I have no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian soccer.”
Ahn joined Perugia on loan from the South Korean team Pusan I.cons in the summer of 2000. He scored five goals in 29 appearances.
A Perugia spokesman said today that the club had virtually decided to release Ahn even before the World Cup tie.
By: squasher - 19th June 2002 at 08:13
RE: bye bye Italy
I agree with Mongu, Ronaldhino ( spelling ?) is the danger man for Brazil along with Jujhino ( spelling?)to some extent as they set up the scorers. Throwing the Brazilians off their game is the best bet. If they get bogged down and cannot move the ball around fluently, it would frustrate them no end. Tight defending from England and sudden darting offensives into Brazils half will be the key to their win. Man I just cant wait to watch that game.
The S.Korea match was terrible as far as referring goes. The Italians were really done in. Nothing to take away the Korean pluck and Vieri should die of shame for missing so many chances to score. Great news for Asia though- Come on Korea.
By: Arabella-Cox - 19th June 2002 at 01:59
RE: bye bye Italy
what great irony this world cup is, and the irony continues. The underdogs continues to be underdogs even though one by one the top dogs are defeated. yet they are still the underdogs. Wouldn’t it be intersting if no Europeans or South Americans ended up in the final. That sure would be interesting. Go Senegal.
By: mongu - 18th June 2002 at 22:06
RE: bye bye Italy
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-06-02 AT 10:07 PM (GMT)]Strange!
Totti has not impressed me, and Maldini was dreadful against Mexico.
On the other hand, Rivaldo doesn’t have so many fans now. He can’t even tell his knees from his head! Just another cheat from South America. Unusual for the Brazilians, though.
Ronaldo is playing well, but his major line of supply is Ronaldinho. If he can be subdued, Brazil can be beaten. Both by Germany and by England.
By: Geforce - 18th June 2002 at 18:55
RE: bye bye Italy
That’s why Belgium had to lose. The goal made by Wilmots should have been accepted. Brazil is the better and stronger, no doubt, but if Belgium would have beaten Brazil, there wouldn’t be any favourites left. And face it: Ronalda and Rivaldo alone have more fan clubs than all European national teams put together :D.
By: frankvw - 18th June 2002 at 18:03
RE: bye bye Italy
Great news! At least it will be different when all “leaders” are out
By: keltic - 18th June 2002 at 16:06
RE: bye bye Italy
It´s being a crazy world cup. The favourites being kick out. The European teams should make a deep analysis. I do expect at least England or Germany do something good. Don´t worry Italy, we´ll revange you….my God¡.
By: Saab 2000 - 18th June 2002 at 15:55
RE: bye bye Italy
Another big suprise and upset.Its going to be hard to pick a winner now!
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th June 2002 at 15:42
RE: bye bye Italy
the Koreans were very lucky as they made the 1st goal only with ~5 minutes left of the regulation….very very lucky, or should we say bad luck for Italia. Very boring game in the middle, but that last 30 minutes was well worth not sleeping (it starts at 4:30 Pacific time, while the Japanese Game ended around 1:30ish). Italy was playing well within it’s reputation of great defense, but overtime kinda put them beyond their endurance relative to the Koreans.
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June 18, 2002 at 2:19 pm