Post: Match Highlight (Match Highlights)
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Posts Tagged ‘Estonia’
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Chile 4-0 Estonia
Post: Match Highlight (Match Highlights)
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Italy 3 – 0 Estonia
Rossi starts rout as Azzurri cruise
Italy took a commanding lead in their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a 3-0 triumph over Estonia in Modena.
Giuseppe Rossi opened the scoring in the 21st minute and Antonio Cassano doubled the lead before half-time.
Second-half substitute Giampaolo Pazzini made it 3-0 in the 68th minute as the Azzurri remained unbeaten in Group C.
Estonia, missing some key players, posed no threat against a solid Italian defence.
The result left Cesare Prandelli’s side five points clear of Slovenia in the pool with four games remaining, and with a game in hand over the Slovenians.
The victory at the Alberto Braglia stadium was also the perfect tonic for a country that was rocked yet again this week by a match-fixing and betting ring scandal in which numerous players and executives of Serie B and C clubs were among 16 people arrested or questioned.
With Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli out injured, Prandelli fielded Rossi and Cassano in attack and his selection paid dividends.
Estonia, who had pushed Italy hard before losing 2-1 last September, struggled to put any pressure together without injured midfielder Aleksandr Dmitrijev and suspended striker Konstantin Vassiljev.
The hosts were first to threaten in the 13th minute as Rossi set up Cassano inside the area and the AC Milan striker’s lob was saved by Estonia goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko.
Shortly afterwards, Pareiko kept out Rossi’s 10-yard effort.
At the other end, Tarmo Kink tried his luck from distance but sent his effort way off target.
Italy continued to press forward and went in front soon after.
Cassano found Rossi inside the six-yard box and his angled strike beat Pareiko.
Prandelli was forced to make his first substitution in the 24th minute, with Antonio Nocerino replacing the injured Alberto Aquilani.
The Azzurri were unlucky not to make it 2-0 when Rossi’s left-footed shot beat Pareiko but struck the post.
With Estonia offering little opposition, the Italians surged forward and made it 2-0 in the 39th minute.
Riccardo Montolivo fed Cassano inside the area and his right-footed strike towards the left corner of goal beat Pareiko.
Estonia had yet to test Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as both sides headed to the interval.
Italy picked up where they left off after the restart and extended their lead.
Montolivo found Pazzini in the heart of the area and he struck the ball out of Pareiko’s reach.
With two minutes remaining, Buffon was called into action for the first time in the game to save Martin Vunk’s 30-yard effort
The hosts celebrated their fifth win in qualifying and will next travel to the Faroe Islands on September 2.
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
Italy v Estonia: Preview
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has expressed his huge disappointment that the country has been gripped by another match-fixing scandal ahead of their Euro 2012 qualifier against Estonia.
The Azzurri’s campaign resumes in Modena tomorrow night and Prandelli spoke about the investigation that has been launched by authorities, which has already led to 16 arrests.
“It is a period in our life in which each day we read about scandals,” Prandelli said. “I haven’t lost hope or enthusiasm.
“But of course this betting ring is an ugly episode that hurts us. In our world there are too many temptations.
“This is what happens when there is so much money going around.
“I think we all have to return to learn that you have to sweat for money, there are no easy ways to earn it.”
The Italian Football Federation issued a statement today to say they are co-operating with authorities in the investigation, which is primarily focused on Serie B and C clubs.
Current and former players as well as some lower division club executives have been questioned about alleged match-fixing and betting rings.
Prandelli is hoping that his players will not be distracted by the events as they attempt to continue their unbeaten run in Group C on Friday.
The Italians, who lead the pool with 13 points from five games, are five points clear of closest rivals Slovenia and Serbia.
The Azzurri have shown great form, scoring 11 goals while giving away just once so far in qualifying.
However, Prandelli has demanded his players show full focus.
“I believe tomorrow’s game is the most important of the season,” he said. “These three points mean so much.
“I don’t know if they will be enough to qualify but they may be crucial.
“The season is over but I have asked my players for one final effort.”
With Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli unavailable through injury, Prandelli has confirmed AC Milan’s Antonio Cassano will start up front alongside Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi.
“Mario is not calm,” Prandelli said. “He is having to put up with this knee problem.
“He will have to work quite a bit to recover his muscular tone and his confidence.”
Estonia, meanwhile, go into the encounter inspired by their 1-1 home draw against Serbia back in March that left them fourth in the group, seven points adrift of Italy.
The Baltic nation will look to get back into qualifying contention with a good result in Modena.
Estonia did push Italy close before losing 2-1 against them in Tallinn last year.
Estonia coach Tarmo Ruutli will, however, be without injured midfielder Aleksandr Dmitrijev while qualifying top scorer Konstantin Vassiljev is suspended.
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
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