Italy's final World Cup test sets alarm bells ringing

Is it a timely warning shot or a harbinger of greater disaster? The fact is: Italy's national team narrowly escaped embarrassment at the dress rehearsal for the home World Cup in South Tyrol.

24 April 2024

From the WürthArena in Neumarkt

From:
Alexander Foppa

The Blue Team defeated South Korea 4-3 after extra time in the Neumarkt WürthArena on Wednesday evening. The conclusion from the game is: Four days before the opening game at the World Cup of the 1st Division in Bolzano, Italy's team is one big construction site.

This time, national coach Mike Pelino relied on Jake Smith as the goalie. Andy Bernard, who was unconvincing in the defeat against Hungary on Tuesday, took a seat in the stands next to Zaungast and HCB striker Mike Halmo. The two saw a performance from the Azzurri that was hair-raising at times. They seemed unsettled at the back, lacked fine-tuning in their forward movement and were weak in front of the goal. The lively South Koreans acted much more well-coordinated than they did at the time 0:4 defeat in the same duel four days ago and repeatedly caused problems for the clearly favored Blue Team.

Salinitri scores twice

This became clear for the first time after ten minutes of play when the Asians suddenly led 18-2 within 0 seconds after a double strike. Seungjae Lee and Chongmin Lee scored from behind the Italians' completely disorganized defense. Anthony Salinitri shortened the score before the first break with a deflected blueliner from Terrance Amorosa.

Italy had its best phase in the middle period, but was only able to convert its field superiority into a power play goal from Diego Kostner. In the final third, South Korea tightened the reins again and, after Spornberger lost the target, Sanghoon Shin took the lead again and had further good chances that almost broke the hosts' necks. It was HCB striker Dustin Gazley who sent both teams into overtime after a rebound from Salinitri. The latter, who recently produced goals like on an assembly line in Norway, became the definitive match winner a short time later. With his goal in the 62nd minute and his third point in the game, he secured victory for the Azzurri.

Anthony Salinitri (center) saved Italy from defeat. © Valentina Gallina/FISG

Regardless of the result, the fact remains that Pelino and the coaching staff still have a lot of work to do before Sunday (from 19.30:XNUMX p.m. in SportNews-Live ticker) against Romania the World Cup starts in the ice wave. In this situation, not only the duels against fellow favorites Hungary and Slovenia appear to be a mammoth task, but also the clashes with supposedly smaller nations such as Romania, Japan and South Korea.

Anxiously waiting for Clara

There is a glimmer of hope for the Blue Team these days: exceptional talent Damian Clara. The 19-year-old goalkeeper from Reischach has just led Brynäs to the Swedish second division title and could be in goal for Italy from Sunday. But there is one catch in the story: championship celebrations and mandatory events in Sweden are still ongoing. Only when Clara receives clearance from his club can he get on the next plane heading south. He has to arrive in South Tyrol by Sunday and at least sit on the bench at the opening of the World Cup, otherwise this hope is in danger of being dashed.

Italy – South Korea 4:3 aet

Italy: Smith (Vallini); Trivellato Seed, Spornberger-Larkin, Amorosa-Pietroniro, Glira-Insam; Frigo-Mantenuto-De Luca, Frank-Kostner-Marchetti, Salinitri-Catenacci-Gazley, Mantinger-Purdeller-Deluca
Coach: Mike Pelino

South Korea: Yeonseung Lee (Ha), Don Ku Lee-Oh, Nam-Seungjae Lee, Jee-Kong, Jeong-Minjae Lee; Chongmin Lee-Sangwook Kim-Kang, Shin-Young Jun Lee-Ahn, Bae-Jeon-Geonwoo Kim, Sangyeob Kim-Sihwan Kim-Juhyung Lee
Coach: Woojae Kim

Referee: Lazzeri, Virta (Pace, Pardatscher)

Gates: 0:1 Seungjae Lee (10.32), 0:2 Chongmin Lee (10.50), 1:2 Anthony Salinitri (13.25), 2:2 Diego Kostner (20.28), 2:3 Sanghoon Shin (47.04), 3:3 Tommy Purdeller (58.52), 4:3 Anthony Salinitri (61.49)

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