- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - World champions Italy arrive for World Cup
- Date: 10th June 2010
- Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 9, 2010) (REUTERS) AIRPORT OFFICIALS ON TARMAC ITALIAN FANS WAITING TO SEE NATIONAL TEAM ARRIVE ITALIAN FAN WITH A FLAG TEAM OFFICIAL LEAVING PASSPORT CONTROL / ITALY CAPTAIN FABIO CANNAVARO LEAVING PASSPORT CONTROL STRIKERS FABIO QUAGLIARELLA AND ALBERTO GILARDINO LEAVING PASSPORT CONTROL TEAM BUS GOALKEEPER GIANLUIGI BUFFON ARRIVING ATTACKING MIDFIELDER ANDREA PIRLO ARRIVING SECURITY OFFICIAL COACH MARCELLO LIPPI ARRIVING / PUTTING HAND LUGGAGE ONTO COACH AND WAVING TO CAMERAS CLOSE OF ITALIAN FLAG ON SIDE OF COACH COACH DEPARTING IN FRONT OF CHEERING ITALY FANS
- Embargoed: 25th June 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA7EP6RZR78HA4MFIJ22N43GV68
- Story Text: Defending champions Italy arrived in Johannesburg on Wednesday (June 9) two days ahead of the start of the World Cup where they will be hoping to emulate the success of the last tournament in Germany 2006.
The Italians have been drawn in a relatively easy group which pits them against Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand but coach Marcello Lippi has been criticised for sticking by his ageing players who won the trophy four years ago in Berlin.
The Italian media have questioned the wisdom of Lippi's selection, especially the absence of Antonio Cassano, arguably the country's best playmaker.
The team's current playmaker Andrea Pirlo should regain fitness in time for their final group match against Slovakia.
Italy's form coming into the tournament has only re-inforced those doubts, with a convincing defeat to Mexico followed by a 1-1 draw against Switzerland.
The team performed poorly at last year's Confederations Cup where they were knocked out in the first round following defeats to Brazil and Egypt.
But the Italians will hope they can raise their game in Cape Town on June 14 for their opening Group F fixture against Paraguay. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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