Asian soccer star, London – Another critical match and another major upset, this time befalling world champions Italy. Like the other finalists from world cup 2006 France, Italy failed to make it to the last 16 losing 3-2 to Slovakia.
Both France and Italy have made world cup history by being the first finalists from a previous world cup by both failing to get past the group stages.
Unlike France, Italy didn’t succumb to major problems within the team camp. They just weren’t good enough throughout the world cup 2010 tournament.
They looked slow and lethargic and their passing was well below world cup standards. In fact they were as bad as England in their now forgiven game against Algeria.
The difference between England and Italy’s crucial games was that England came out fighting and full of hunger and desire. England had the will to win because there was no other route for them to take; they had hit rock bottom and faced elimination from the competition and an unforgiving nation waiting for them at home.
Italy were in the same position as England, they needed to win or at least come out with a draw to get into the last 16. They had also hit rock bottom and knew that failure would mean facing an even more unforgiving nation than the English on returning home. But, Italy did not come out fighting and the result was elimination from world cup 2010 and bottom of the group table.
Italy had the hunger and desire to win, but they only showed this in the last minutes of the game when they scored their first goal. Once that goal went in for the Italians it was like watching a completely different side playing world class football.
The passing was crisp and accurate and the movement fluid. The challenges were hard and determined and they looked like the champions of 4 years ago.
But, by this time it was too late.
So what do all you budding Asian soccer stars think went wrong for Italy?
By now it should be fairly obvious. If the same team can play like a low division side for most of the game and completely change after they scored it’s got to be down to belief.
Belief is what gives you the confidence to move forward and achieve your goals. If Italy had played with the same belief for 90 minutes instead of leaving it to the dying minutes of the game they would have had a chance to retain the world cup 2010 cup.
Again, I want to drill it in all you budding football players looking to play professional football and become Asian soccer stars, work on your mental toughness and have a hunger, desire and belief to win.
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- Defending champ Italy ousted by Slovakia (nbcsports.msnbc.com)
- Champions Italy crash out of World Cup (cnn.com)
- Italy FINISHED: Slovakia Eliminates Defending World Cup Champions (huffingtonpost.com)
- Italy goes home after 3-2 loss to Slovakia (usatoday.com)
