Italy 'workers' lead way, France follow
Monday, November 1, 2010
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Italy won all three of their Group 9 games in Cyprus to come through the last qualifying round section with France and coach Pasquale Salerno said their "hard work paid off".
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Italy coach Pasquale Salerno described his side's success in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 9 as reward for "lots of hard work" after they defeated France in Cyprus to go through with a perfect record.
The Azzurrini were already assured of a place in the 30 November elite round draw before Monday's games having beaten Cyprus 1-0 and Slovenia 3-2, but they made it three out of three after Mattia Maggio's header two minutes from time defeated France 2-1. However, there was relief for France as they remained in the second qualifying spot thanks to Cyprus's 2-0 loss to Slovenia, who ended up in third.
"It was very important for us to beat the French in this group. I am a happy man.", Salerno, who led Italy to the 2009 semi-finals, told UEFA.com. "We knew that they are a good side who often reach final tournaments so ever since the draw we have been working hard. This success is lots of hard work paying off but now we look towards the next round."
Italy may not have breezed past their opponents but they certainly showed enough vigour in equalising twice in the first half against Slovenia as well as bouncing back against France when Abdallah Yaisien looked to have stolen a point with a well-taken free-kick. But that was until VfB Suttgart forward Maggio came off the bech to head in fellow substitute Simone Emmanuello's clever cross.
"A goal is a goal no matter who you score against," said Maggio. "What was more important was winning the group which we did. It's the best lift for us going into the next round."
Had Cyprus beaten Slovenia they would have finished second on goal difference, having held France 1-1 on Matchday 2 with a last-gasp Adamos Andreou equaliser. France coach Patrick Gonfalone, whose side opened with a 1-0 defeat of Slovenia, was relieved to go through but worried by the loss of late goals to Cyprus and Italy.
"Of course I am happy to be in the next round but we need to improve," Gonfalone said. "We know we can perform a lot better than we did today. We need to be better in the next round if we are to remain in this competition."