SM
Liverpool vs. Villa: 18 hrs 16 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
IN
Confederations Cup | Groups
Jun 19, 2013 at 11pm UK
 
JN

4-3

Italy edge seven-goal thriller

:Headline: Result: Italy edge seven-goal thriller: ID:89796: from db_amp
Italy defeat Japan 4-3 to reach the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Italy have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup following a thrilling 4-3 victory over a spirited Japan.

The Japanese were quicker off the starting blocks, taking a deserved lead in the 20th minute from the penalty spot after Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was adjudged to have fouled Shinji Okazaki in the box.

Keisuke Honda dispatched the spot kick, calmly slotting the ball past Buffon into the bottom corner.

It took Japan little more than 10 minutes to double their lead, with Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa scoring a superb individual goal following scrappy defending from the Azzurri.

Italy reduced the deficit four minutes before half time when Daniele De Rossi met Andrea Pirlo's corner with a thumping header that found the back of the net.

Cesare Prandelli's side almost went into the break level as a low shot from Emanuele Giaccherini came crashing back off the post in first-half stoppage time.

However, the Azure equalised shortly after the interval, with Japan right-back Atsuto Uchida putting through his own goal under pressure from Mario Balotelli.

The game was turned on its head two minutes later when Makoto Hasebe handled in the area, gifting Italy a penalty which Balotelli smashed home to give his side the lead for the first time in the match.

Italy dictated play for a spell after edging their noses in front, but were unable to hold on to their lead, Japan drawing level through Okazaki's near-post header following a free kick.

Spurred on by the equaliser, Japan were on top for much of the closing stages, striking the woodwork twice, only to be hit by a suckerpunch at the death.

Sebastian Giovinco rounded off a neat Italy counter-attack with a simple tap-in to fire his side into the last four of the competition.

Japan did have the ball in the net at the other end moments later, only for Shigeru Yoshida's effort to be ruled out for offside.

amp_article__89796 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2013-06-20 10:41:55:
html db last update - 2013-06-20 10:41:55 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .