QINGHUANGDAO: Italy star striker Giuseppe Rossi has become a fan favorite as one of the top scorers of the Olympic tournament, while his team is proving to be one of the Games' top teams after a pair of ruthless 3-0 victories in the first two group matches here.
The stylish Italians, led by head coach Pierluigi Casiraghi and assistant coach Gianfranco Zola, both former Italy strikers, booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Beijing Olympic soccer tournament on Sunday, dispatching South Korea 3-0.
As all eyes fixate on favorites Brazil and Argentina with their superstars like Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, Italy has shown the world it cannot be ignored, scoring as many goals, 6, as Brazil in two wins.
Tommaso Rocchi of Italy (C) celebrates with team mates Domenico Criscito (L) and Giuseppe Rossi after scoring against South Korea during their Group D soccer match at the 2008 Olympic Games in Qinhuangdao August 10, 2008. [Agencies] |
Five different players have scored the goals: Giuseppe Rossi with two, Tommaso Rocchi, and Robert Acquafresca, and midfielders Riccardo Montolivo and Sebastian Giovinco, each with one.
"All my teammates have played well, not only the three forwards. Everybody has sacrificed themselves for each other. I would like to give a big 10 out of 10 to the team," Rossi said after a win against Honduras.
The 21-year-old striker said he really did not care about being the top scorer in the tournament.
"I am only thinking of Italy, about getting the team to victory, not myself," he said.
But assistant coach Zola had high praise for Rossi, saying: "I think Rossi can be one of the best Italian players; he has already been one. I think Rossi can be among the top players of this tournament."
Rossi, Ronaldinho and Cote d'Ivoire's Sekou Cisse are tied atop the scoring ranks with two goals apiece.
Zola was pleased with his team's offensive display.
"We've scored so many goals because we have fantastic players and they are doing a great job.
"We are an offensive team, not a defensive team. When you have a team like this, when you have players like them, you will win games and it is very difficult for you not to get results."
Head coach Casiraghi played down Italy's status as an Olympic favorite.
"The favorites are other teams, not mine," he said. "We will think about it match by match, and not think about being one of the favorites.
"We will try to finish first in our group. We will have another game and I think Brazil is in the same situation as we are."
Italy will face Cameroon in tomorrow's final group match.