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By Lakis Avraamides
LARNACA, Cyprus, Sept 6 - Antonio Di Natale scored
twice as Italy started the defence of their World Cup crown on
Saturday with a lucky 2-1 win over Cyprus in their Group Eight
qualifier.
The striker fired home a stoppage-time winner after he had
put Italy ahead in the eighth minute, driving a low right-footed
shot into the corner when allowed space outside the area by the
Cypriot defence.
Efstathios Aloneftis had deservedly levelled for the hosts
in the 29th, pouncing when defender Marco Cassetti dithered
instead of clearing the rebound of a Gianluigi Buffon save from
a Konstantinos Charalampidis shot.
Despite the result, Cyprus outplayed the Azzurri for long
periods of the game, giving 2006 World Cup-winning coach
Marcello Lippi a lot to think about after his first competitive
match since being recalled to replace Roberto Donadoni.
"There was not much difference between the two teams. Cyprus
were unlucky on a number of occasions and at times I had the
feeling we were going to lose," Lippi told a news conference.
"It was a great relief to win at the end."
Italy looked shaky in the opening exchanges when keeper
Buffon had to make saves to keep out Aloneftis and Michalis
Konstantinou.
The hosts remained aggressive after Di Natale's opener and
Azzurri captain Fabio Cannavaro had to make a desperate
clearance in front of goal from Konstantinou after Buffon had
repelled an Ioannis Okkas effort in the 10th.
BAD LUCK
Italy had bad luck with injuries, defenders Andrea Barzagli
and Cassetti coming on after Alessandro Gamberini and Fabio
Grosso were hurt in the opening 18 minutes.
Lippi tried to buck up the world champions, bringing on
midfielder Gennaro Gattuso for ineffective forward Luca Toni at
halftime.
Italy's Alberto Gilardino failed to take advantage in the
68th when a deflection diverted the ball into his path in front
of goal.
But Cyprus were still dangerous and substitute Dimitris
Christofi wasted a great chance in the 75th, pulling his shot
wide with only Buffon to beat after slipping between two
defenders.
In the closing stages Cyprus's Elias Charalambous twice
rifled the ball narrowly past the post before Di Natale snatched
victory for the visitors in the 92nd minute, converting a chip
from Mauro Camoranesi after a nice heel pass from Gilardino.
"We are very upset. We had a very good game and my players
proved that they can play very good football against any
opponent," Cyprus coach Angelos Anastasiadis said.
"We were not happy with a draw, imagine how we feel now
after losing the game."
The performance was confirmation Cypriot football had
improved significantly. They beat Wales and Ireland and drew
with Germany in Euro 2008 qualifiers and Anorthosis Famagusta
overcame Greece's Olympiakos Piraeus to become their first club
to reach the Champions League group stage.
The Azzurri play Georgia in four days' time in the northern
Italian city of Udine in their next game in group eight, which
also features Bulgaria, Montenegro and the Republic of Ireland.
(Writing by Paul Virgo in Rome, Editing by Clare Lovell)