Italy v Japan Match of the Day Live

is over the wall. De Rossi... Balotelli against Rodriguez and it

and welcome to our continued coverage of what has been an

entertaining Confederations Cup so far. Let's hope for more of the same

as Italy face Japan. For a game of such contrasting cultures where else

would we go for our pundits but Wales? Before we entrench ourselves

totally with tonight's game lets show you what happened in the

earlier match. Was ill, the hosts, met Mexican. -- met Mexico. --

Rodriguez has got it away but it is back! He has done it again. Inside

nine minutes of the game, Neymar's second goal of these Confederations

Cup. This is just as good as the goal at the weekend. It takes a

while to come down but absolutely brilliant technique that is.

time. Neymar scores one, Neymar makes one. Brazil two, Mexico nil.

Mexico have been a little bit ordinary. A side better than Mexico

would have taken advantage. GARY LINEKER: Their game was played

against a backdrop of continued pilot protests with five people

retorted Lee -- reportedly injured as people demonstrated outside the

ground. And Italy win tonight would see both Brazil and the Azzurri

safely through to the semifinals with a game to spare. Brazil would

also be through should there be a in prime station. I thought Japan

the other night against Brazil were poor. I think Italy have a chance

tonight. And you watched Italy in the previous game for us. Very

impressed with Mario Balotelli. I thought he looked as if he was

enjoying football again. Rodriguez at the for Mexico, the centre half,

he was told at half-time to get closer to Balotelli. I was impressed

with Italy all round. They looked professional and a very good win.

see the two sides coming out onto the pitch to warm up. Players were

looking up at the screen of the earlier game, the highlights. You

closely watched the Japanese. You were not impressed at all. If you

look at the World Cup and a lot of the qualifying, they have been

pretty impressive and consistent. Zaccheroni left two players who are

scoring domestically at home. Honda was played up there on his own. So

tonight he's going for a more attacking team. He has brought

minder in -- Maeder. Let's get a are all talking about Neymar and

also Mario Balotelli today. How impressed happy being? He's looking

awesome and focused. Often he was disinterested playing for Manchester

City. You cannot say that now. His team mates are keeping him on track.

We were on late-night duty last night, chatting at the Italian news

Conference. Balotelli is said to be looking forward to putting on the

Italian shirt. Whatever he is doing, he's working. Some of his behaviour

in England was unacceptable. When it comes to a tournament, you cannot

argue with him. He is really in the zone at the moment. What you are

telling us is that Cesare Prandelli is doing perhaps what Roberto

Mancini should have done at Man City? Yes, very stern and frosty.

Talking of Italian coaches, Alberto Zaccheroni is the Japan coach as

well. This is a dream night for him. He will not be singing the

national anthem but he will be wanting his team to play. Suggesting

they did not play with enough coverage and possession of the

ball. His players are more South American, not as physical as the

Europeans. It will be really interesting to see. He's a track to

see. EZ action. Japan disappointing against Brazil in the first match.

They qualified for the World Cup. I expect a better performance. Thank

you. And Italy win today sees them go through to the semifinals of the

Confederations Cup for the first time. Then it is all eyes on Brazil

on Saturday. Memories of 1982. Perhaps new memories from this

tournament. It has been to refix oath. Lots of good games. This is

the Italian line-up. A couple of changes from the first game. Yes,

Aquilani will come in. He will probably try to get closer to

Balotelli. Different type of player to the one he is replacing. And

Maggio will come in for Abate. A bit like the like, but just the two

changes. A lot to talk about, Balotelli. There has never been any

question about his ability but it is the fact he might blow up at any

moment and do something stupid. Yes, things he did of the patch --

things he did off the pitch and I had sympathy for Roberto Mancini. It

is just off the field antics. think it reflects badly on Mancini,

the way he handled him that he could not manage him? He thought he could

get the best out of him on a day-to-day basis and obviously he

did not. The Italians feel he is worth persevering with. Is the

danger he might let them down? not think he could play as well as

he did the other night. He was exceptional at times. He was doing

things I never quite saw him do at Manchester City and his whole

attitude there was totally wrong. He had become a bit of time. He seems

to have got his head down, settled at his club and he is starring now

for his country as well. We shall see. As for Japan, despite poor

informants, just the one change. Yes, Maeder is coming in. And a good

linkup with Nagatomo on the left back. Honda was a good player the

other night. The Japanese have nothing to lose. Exactly. They have

got to be good at possession. They do tend to hold the high line as

well and with Alitalia's pace, -- Alitalia's pace... I think the

Italians are good when the result would suit them. Yes, they won their

first game several years ago in the Confederations Cup and then they

lost the next two, which put them out of the tournament. They will be

conscious of that. There cannot be that many world-class players that

starred for Brazil and played in Italy and Japan and coached the

absolutely sure. What you think of the Italy team, especially Mr Mario

Balotelli? He needs to control his temper. He is a great, decisive

player. He has to be aware that his opponents will try to annoy him and

if you does not control his temper, he can hinder the Italian squad.

Italy is a squad that in official competition it grows a lot. No one

thought Italy was one of the favourites for Euro 2012 but it went

to the final so I think they will take advantage of the Confederations

Cup to be able to feel out their opponents, that they can come full

full is to the World Cup. -- full force. You also coached Japan. Did

the Japanese players have enough technical ability? The Japanese

squad is more competitive today. The players are playing in more

competitive championships so out of the 20 players, 13 or 14 play in

Europe. COMMENTATOR: Here is Rooney. Is this the hat trick? Oh, yes it

is. Today they are playing in the main team of Manchester United and

Stuttgart and other teams. So of course this gives them a lot of

maturity and experience. That is why they are number one in Asia. I have

no doubt in the near future Japan will be a candidate to a World Cup

title. Batman was a wonderful player. My

first ever game in Japan was played against Zico's team. -- that man was

a wonderful player. There wasn't a earthquake and he scored three. And

he was 40. That team, unbelievable. Yes, we were talking about number

tens off air. Neymar is ten. their of the flags coming out. It

seems to me you both think Italy will win this. I think Japan will

improve on their performance against Brazil the other night but I think

it will be too much for them. think Japan defensively will not be

able to hold out. Kick-off approaches. It is Italy versus

Japan, with our commentators Martin play as well as they lacklustre as

they have been, and Italian win is likely. But they fear a trap by

both sides after a sweltering day of unbroken sunshine. It is still

sweating here. 76% humidity in the arena. One in eight people living in

Brazil is of Italian or Japanese descent. That is why you can hear

the roaring. Thousands of them imported for cheap Labour immigrants

for the coffee plantations after Brazil band slavery. We have seen

protests against transport costs and social inequality that have

escalated. Everyone seems happy to stimulator economic growth in this

part of the country. With Italy looking so good in their opening

game, we have eight to refix game to anticipate here tonight. -- eight to

refix game. At the moment, it is dry. We do expect rain. ITALIAN

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said he was not going to sing along with his national anthem. He said it

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would be improper. An insult to the atmosphere. Great colour all around

the ground. As I said before, no sign of the protests we have seen

elsewhere in the country. Tear gas and rubber bullets. FIFA did not

expect that. I don't think they will stand for it next summer either. We

thought the Italians would make some changes. They make two changes.

Aquilani replaces Marchisio. Maggiore places about. -- Abate. --

Maggio. The referee is from Argentina. He will not get a warm

welcome. Buffon, the captain of Italy, will be making his 130th

appearance. He will flick a coin, when he gets there, with Hasebe.

Japan really disappointed in their first game. Their defeat to Brazil

was their heaviest in seven years. Hasebe was a doubt until yesterday

when he trained. Honda returned yesterday after a thigh injury. They

make just one change. We see the Argentine officials. The one change

brings in my leader. -- Mader. Honda and cargo out were forced into

unfamiliar positions against Brazil. -- to Galloway. Italy have lost just

once in 23 competitive games. He says Japan our favourites -- Cesare

Prandelli says Japan our favourites because they have had an extra

day's rest. It is very humid. Very hot still. It is remarkable that

Pirlo can play his second game in a matter of days at 35 years of age.

Balotelli in Brazil. They are all talking about him. He has caught the

eye. Playing as a lone striker at times. He has the strength and

power, and he has the focus at the moment. His days at Manchester city

were so troubled because of undisciplined behaviour of the

field. Kagawa recognising he has got to get physical early on. Mexico

were told to get tied in the first game. But Balotelli is such a

powerful man. They will have looked at that and know they will have to

Japan have brought in today. They say his legs are not as they were.

He has rarely played for a club or country in recent months. I think my

leader gives them a better balance. -- Mader. I am expecting to see them

move the ball much quicker. Make this Italian side move around the

pitch. No inter-Milan players in the always a danger. Nagatomo will

bit jet-lagged. Endo is so controlled. He is an intelligent

player. He can shoot from distance as well. He is the dictator of their

play. Not so much in the first game. Nagatomo had a knee problem earlier

this year and he was back playing within a month. Very confident start

down. Japan have started at breakneck speed. A lot of questions

to De Rossi yesterday at the press conference about leaving Roma in the

summer. Not playing especially well for Roma. Cesare Prandelli is

getting the best out of him for game. The header straight at Buffon.

Nobody picking up. He really should be doing better from there. Italy

could not cope there. You can see that Japan's is so much better

already. Japan have had the extra day. They have started excellently.

Zaccheroni Said yesterday that never in his wildest dreams had he dreamt

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Pirlo there. Montolivo played well Asian Cup success. They were the

first of the teams to qualify for the World Cup. Iran and South Korea

have joined them. He said he did not recognise his team in the first

game. He has told them to be brave and go and play. And they have.

are a team full of good technique. They are causing Italy some

problems. An offside flag. Italian defence are having to stand

firm. They know about that. They are good defenders. But they are being

asked questions tonight. Yes, he was offside. The linesman picked that up

well. It is all Japan early on. They have had 60% of possession in the

opening eight minutes. We have not seen Balotelli yet. Buffon says he

wants to go on and play until he is 40 like Dino Zoff. Maeda Pulling

away from the defender. The defender did not know where he was. You would

not expect that of an Italian technique. He just quoted all wrong.

He will have the confidence. He will not be afraid to keep trying from

distance. Not a full house again tonight. It holds 46,000. this

Pirlo so often the supplier. Older viewers may remember the name of

Recife from 1950 in the World Cup. players are based outside Japan,

because he controls the ball, two players around him, he gets that

ball into the box and he really does Japan in Brazil and Japan alone. --

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become. All the way back to the European under 21 Championships in

2000, people said he was going to be a very good player. This is his

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it is Honda. Yes, it is. He was hit from behind. The referee played on.

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heating everything from distance. -- Yes. It wasn't a difficult decision

for him. All line technology, of course, in these Confederations Cup

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the first half, no goals. -- a make this and go for the jugular.

The Italians are just quite happy to keep this gave at this pace. -- this

game. He went for goal! That is the closest we have come. A fantastic

effort. I expected Buffon to save it but what about this technique of his

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left foot? That was travelling. the far side, they switched their

fullbacks. Nagatomo went right, which Ide went to the left-hand

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side. They have switched back again Giaccherini. No need for that. He

just let the defender of the cook. Make him defend it. Scored one

Italian goal in a warmup for this competition against 80, in 19

seconds. That is a penalty and Buffon has to go! The penalty has

been given. He will surely have to be sent off! If it is a definite

foul, he has got to go, surely! only a yellow card! This time next

year if he does that it is a foul, he is off. For me, he gets to the

ball, does his foot go over it? I think he is a bit unlucky there. He

should make that ball. He's certainly lucky not to be sent off.

If the referee thinks that is a penalty. Others will say lucky to

stay on. The man whose penalty qualified Japan for next summer's

World Cup finals will come forward and take this. Keisuke Honda. He

scores. Not the greatest of penalties, but Japan league Italy by

a goal to nil and the group is wide open again at this stage! Honda

nonchalantly put it in. Usually you see the goalkeeper bounce forward

and Buffon is just on his line. Makes no real attempt to save it.

has not had the best of luck in tournament play in the last couple

of years, the fun. -- Buffon. In the opening game of that tournament

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and they are passing the ball decision from the linesman. The

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Italians now just starting to He played so well in euro 2012, and

They need to be more patient in the final third. Just keep working the

Italians. They are playing well. They look really solid. Lots of

imagination. Definitely playing with courage. They wanted to do well in

the tournament. Italy have always regretted not doing well on

Brazilian soil. In the 1950 World Cup finals, they travelled by boat.

Many of the team-mates had been killed in a near disaster the year

before. They lost their opening game, which meant effectively they

were out. They wanted to impress on Brazilian football fans the quality

of their game. Tonight it is not happening. There was a claim for a

foul on Hasebe. Maggio was unmoved. So was the referee. Nagatomo shot

straight at the goalkeeper. A lot of good approach play once again from

Japan. It just that final pass -- it was just that final pass. They need

to be more patient and more intelligent in the final third.

have had eight shots. Italy with just the one. Giaccherini was found.

He knows the importance of getting close to Giaccherini. Balotelli went

down in the penalty area. A free kick is given against Balotelli, for

what? For handball?The referee suggested he was pushing his bottom

out towards Yoshida. Was aired obstruction? Out in -- I think the

referee was right. He dived, didn't he? Balotelli was thinking maybe

that there are cheap penalties on and were favourites because of the

extra day's rest. And because of his encyclopaedic knowledge of Italian

football. At the moment Japan are on initially played the advantage. The

ball is out of play anyway. So treatment can be given to Endo.

Aquilani came in on the back of him. He just called his instep. That

is painful, I can tell you. -- he substitution. Aquilani is going off

and Giovinco is coming on. The experiment has not worked. He does

not look injured to me. He has been on for just under half an hour.

Sebastian Giovinco will, on and replace him. Another Juventus

player. Scored eight goals in the title winning season. It is

decisive, isn't it? Pandrelli once that extra player in midfield to

talking a little bit more. They are not getting enough of the ball.

Giovinco is on the right and Giaccherini, in a supporting role,

is on the left. Giovinco scored against Chelsea. He played very well

against them. But he has been out of form late in the season. One goal

out of 16. Pandrelli does not seem to worry about club form. This is

it. It's quite remarkable how he can get the best out of players. I quite

like that, that he has a belief in the players that he once. -- that he

for Italy. They need to get him in. Hasebe with the cross. Deflected

away by Chiellini. Not for the first time he has rescued Italy. They look

irresistible. As soon as Pirlo gets the ball, they are all over him.

They know he is the Pope -- playmaker. They break with pace. We

do not expect that from him. He was trying to say he was injured. They

just have to do more when they get into the final third. Japan's third

corner of the game. Italy have not expected to cruise through. It is

now Japan two, Italy nil. -- zero. stunning finish. Ruthless. He

thumped it into the corner. Buffon did not even move. It is a real

scramble. The work great, really. I'm just looking to see if there was

an offside. Look at that per technique. He knows he is going to

spin on it and hated. What a connection. Lovely technique. The

keeper was rooted to the spot. 14th goal for Japan. This is the man

they left out of World Cup 2010. That is what he can do. It just

shows you, the Italians did not start the game well. The Japanese

have the quality to punish you. was not allowed to show both his

talents in the final of the Asian Cup. He is playing with a freedom.

He is enjoying his football. The crowd are responding. The Japanese

can play. The Brazilian fans in the crowd are loving it. Okazaki...

Surely not a third before half-time? Italy are rocking. There are 1.5

million people living in Brazil of Japanese ancestry. It is the largest

Japanese community of that sort out side of Japan. -- outside. I think

the locals have taken them to their hearts already. They can see they

want to express themselves. whole family have come a long way in

from farmland to watch this tonight. Spending money they haven't got,

probably. De Rossi tried to win a ball that wasn't his. He gets

booked. He misses the next game against Brazil. Yes, Honda just took

it away from him. One challenge too many for De Rossi. Italy may need to

beat Brazil to go through. Honda is over the ball. So is Endo. Both

capable of hitting the target from here. He scored against Denmark in

South Africa three years ago from this kind of distance. Endo heated.

Buffon was not impressive first time. The ball was wobbling. He got

there second time. Buffon was not impressive there. He almost went

down to save that in slow motion. Balotelli took the ball down

beautifully. The two centre backs, Konno and Yoshida, playing very

well. Nothing is coming off for Italy. They are working the space

well, Japan. This is quality football, isn't it? They said they

were going to play like a South American team with lots of slick

passing and movement. And they are certainly doing that. Italy look

befuddled. Balotelli is the only shining light but they cannot get

the ball to him. This is a completely different performance

than we saw in the first match. Japan looking to get out of the

group stage of a World Cup by Confederations Cup for the fourth

time in nine attempts. Zaccheroni said last night they do not travel

well. But the way the crowd are reacting to them, it is like a home

match. Balotelli standing, hands on available, he is always strong. Free

kick for his team. He was definitely being held. There is a sharpness

about Balotelli at the moment. saw what Pirlo can do, in a free

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kick from this sort of range in Yoshida elected to leave that one

and the far post. A difficult cross the Japanese. Poor marking. Good

movement. Just powered it in. The delivery is absolutely spot on. It

is on a plate for him. He just attacks that space and thunders it

in. He has kept faith with it, De Rossi, who has not had been best of

fact that Japan has gone in front, leaving Roma this summer, alerting

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half, he would get a yellow card for this. He makes contact that I would

on the side of the defender there. He is getting forward, trying to put

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pressure on the ball. -- but I would fellow is going to get his chance,

Balotelli. Whenever Prandelli and Italy seek Balotelli score they

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kick Italy. Good lay by Italy. Really going for it here at the end

Chiellini of Juventus. One minute of extra time. Italy were 2-0 down

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from the penalty spot for Japan after 21 minutes. We see a replay of

a shot by Giaccherini off the post. Kagawa put Japan 2-0 up after 33

minutes. De Rossi wrote Italy back into it and they ended the first

half on top. They are still behind, minutes, Italy came right back into

it. Japan were tremendous in the first half. They surprised me.

overall, the Japanese played some good football. It is the sort of

football we have played from -- seen from them in the past despite their

poor performance the other day. have been a lot better. They have

really rest high. Pirlo has been far too deep. It is only the last

minutes we have seen signs of the Italy that we saw the other night,

winning so convincingly against Mexico. A major talking point, was

it a penalty, and should form have had a red card? Buffon very

unfortunate. It is not a penalty for me. A perfectly good tackle. If

Maeder mixed the ball there, goes past Buffon, the referee is entitled

to give Buffon a red card, but because of one wins the ball, knock

it into that area there, then it is not a clear goal-scoring

opportunity. Nowhere in the world Maeder is going to get up and put

the ball in the net, so it is not a penalty. The referee got that wrong.

It is a fair tackle but he has got it right not sending Buffon right

off because there was no clear is what you would expect from a

goalkeeper. It is definitely not a penalty, so if it is a penalty in my

opinion he has to go. But what I am saying is if he gives a foul in that

situation, Buffon is the last man. He is not denied a goal-scoring

opportunity. But it is, he has brought the man down. But the ball

is out. It depends where the ball is, whether you can get the ball and

score. If he gives the penalty, he has to give the red card, in my

opinion. One of us is wrong! Ultimately, the referee makes the

decision. Interestingly there was a similar occurrence the other night.

More of a clear-cut penalty and red card. It was De Sciglio. We have not

seen a red card yet in the tournament. But they have had a word

with their referees and said we need to be more lenient, because we have

seen in my opinion two clear red cards. Santos has got past his man.

He is one-on-one with the keeper. That is a clear goal-scoring

opportunity. Tonight, the ball has gone away and he cannot get it.

think John is starting to get cross. No argument about the second goal,

from Kagawa. He has been excellent. Everything that Japan has done, he

has been involved. He shows great strengths there and a fantastic

finish. Difficult to hit the ball coming out of the air. A fantastic

finish. But he has been excellent, Kagawa. He has improved. He has had

some good performances for Manchester United last season as

well. For man United, is he going to play in back number ten position,

will it be Rooney? It may depend on whether Wayne Rooney is there. At

that stage, it looked like the Japanese were going to run away with

Italy. Italy were flat and ineffective. They were not getting

in the game. That is right and Italy did not digitally start. They were

very slow coming out. We see them here. Polo there, the one time we do

see... A game where he gives the ball away. Far too deep, going into

the back to get the ball there, Pirlo. Just a little ball forward

there. When we see him actually get forward, this is decent played by

Italy but again they did it away there. Another great strike. I think

the goalkeeper gets a touch on that one. The one time he gets forward,

he gets the corner. De Rossi with a great header. In the last few

minutes of the half, Italy have come right back into the game and I would

not be surprised if Italy... I will not be surprised if they have a good

talking to at half-time and come out a lot better. They went very close.

Giaccherini hits the post. Japan in the first half deserved to be in the

lead. We will take a distal break. Time for a reminder of what

transpired in the other game earlier today. Jill took an Mexico. --

record against Mexico in recent times. It is back in! Neymar has

done it again. Inside nine minutes of the game. 's second goal of this

Confederations Cup. Mozilla one, Mexico mill. -- Brazil 1-0 Mexico.

never even looked. It was as though much this time. Behind the defender.

barren run for Brazil. Six games without a goal. That should have

David Luiz. Great ball in. Dyfed Louise was brilliant. He read it

brilliantly. -- David Luiz. Neymar tried to get to goalkeeper out. It

was a good save. He ran out of legs blocked it. The Mexicans keep on

coming. They keep getting in so one, Neymar makes one. Brazil, for a

long spell to night defensively, and generally, have been a little bit

ordinary. Better side than Mexico ordinary. Better side than Mexico

would have taken advantage. A wonderful virtuoso performance from

Neymar. Many people have been doubting him. There is no doubting

his ability. He is only 21. Some of the things he did tonight were

marvellous. For a kid, and that is what he is, look at that. This boy

is a player. There are a lot of players around the world and people

mention the word great. This player for me is great now and he is 21.

Imagine what he will do in that Barcelona side. He is going to be

amazing. He has got an unbelievable future ahead of him. He's equally

good on his right and left foot. Some of the vision he shows is

absolutely brilliant. The thing that absolutely brilliant. The thing that

impressed me tonight was his burst of pace. He can move on either foot.

Equally strong on both. Deft touches. I don't think he is great

yet. I disagree with John. I think you will have to prove himself in a

team like Barcelona to become great. He has got potential. He has got to

fulfil potential. If this is not great, I don't know what is. I think

Messi is great. And a buddy who gets sold for �50 million is on the edge

of greatness. Andy Carroll was sold for 50 million. Is he great? Torre

's cost 50 million. Easy great? was at the time! Our Brazil

favourites for the World Cup? can't look past Spain. I think

Brazil will be one of the favourites but I think Spain are still the team

to beat. We may see it in this tournament. It is looking like

Brazil and Spain in the final. That may give us an indication of who is

the best right now. They have just about agreed on that. Let's move on.

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Two more games tomorrow. Both live Cup would be entertaining but I must

admit it has surpassed expectations. We have had some wonderful games.

Japan have got to win. Italy needed a result to get through. It makes it

fascinating viewing. Definitely. There have been some good games. We

have had some -- a good look at Spain. Take eg, it may be a bit

embarrassing tomorrow. We're expecting double figures. -- Taki T.

It has been great. Can Italy pull this round? We both went for Italy

before the game! You have both been wrong so far. Let's return to

Recife. Jonathan Pearce and Martin Recife. Jonathan Pearce and Martin

Keown are the commentators. Italy onto the field of play. Japan now

join as well. I cant see any signs of any substitutions by Italy. -- I

cannot see. After the penalty given away by Buffon and the second

Japanese goal, Italy were right back in it through De Rossi. If it stays

like this, Brazil will have six points. Italy and Japan were both

have three. Mexico without a point. But if Italy come back and draw this

game, Japan are still not out of it. If they win against the Mexicans and

hope that Italy lose against Brazil... So much still to play for

hearing Recife. Japan all in white kicking from left to right in the

second half. Honda in The Thick of throughout in the centre of the

title with Wolfsburg. -- won. Only the second Japanese player to have

done so. Martin Keown. It has started like the match started.

Japan taking the game to the Italians. Surely the Italians will

feel they have got to get into this game. The goal gave them a lifeline

before half-time. Somebody has turned the tab on again in Brazil.

It is pouring with rain. It comes from nowhere. It is very tropical,

particularly in this part of Brazil in the north-east. Jungle creeps up

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to the side of microwaves. -- making this change. Giovinco coming

on to support the strike. -- striker. Giaccherini's and is much

better off the ball. Much better shape from his early. -- movement.

June and July is the wettest time of the year in Brazil. Don't expect

restaurants to be cheaply if you are coming over next summer. They never

are in any World Cup, to be honest. A simple spaghetti Bolognese can

cost around 15 quid. The price of a beer, Martin was telling me, is

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have come back into it. Giaccherini with the cross. The mistake was made

by your sugar. -- Yoshida. Yoshida has got to put that into touch. In

the end it comes off the defender. What is he doing there? He has got

to clear it. He is trying to bring it down. Credit to Giaccherini. He

was honoured in a flash. It was a poor on goal. Two down after 33

minutes, they are level after 49. Uchida on goal. -- own goal.

Giovinco is willing into space. Balotelli knows he is going to get

it. I cannot help thinking that all that good work from Japan... Started

the second half so well. But the Italian shape is much better. Credit

to their manager. A draw would not necessarily knock Japan out. They

would have a point. They could still get a maximum of four. Italy have

four but pretty -- play Brazil in their last game. A chance for

Giovinco. The referee points to the spot. It is a penalty. The Japanese

captain turns away and fumes. He could not get the arm out of the

way. It is a penalty for Italy. What a turnaround. You cannot take your

eyes off this for a minute. Listen, how on earth he conceded that... How

unlucky is C? If they are going to give penalties for that... Very

unfortunate. He will miss their final game after his second portion

of the competition. Such an unlucky penalty. Very, very harsh. His arm

was trailing behind him as he slid in. It hit his arm. Balotelli to put

were 2-0 down at the half hour mark. Now they lead 3-2. He looks so

its head. His coach admits he is unpredictable. He said yesterday,

you never know what is going to happen next. But he kept his cool

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there for his 10th international Inter Milan, who had such a poor

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just stepped inside and hit it from distance, almost catching the keeper

out. A good save. It shows you what confidence can do for a team.

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Completely different in the second last ten minutes up on the left in

tonight? He did welfare. -- he did well fair but I am not sure he is

he has played four times the number of matches on PlayStation than he

has in real life games. I reckon that puts him at about 3000

PlayStation games. There will be young kids telling their dad they

need a PlayStation to become a Maggio came in for Abate tonight and

is replaced by him. -- like the Italian teams were the masters at

closing games Darren. -- closing foot down on his right boot.

seemed to make a lot of that. This is an area Italy are very strong at,

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the Cross Inn, straight to Buffon. been a handball, because the

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position on the right-hand side. Yes, he does, he's all over the

place. Balotelli is definitely in it, otherwise he is in. As a World

Cup centre half yourself what have you made of the Italian centre

halves? Wheat said about sharing your number to your opponent, and it

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is happening a couple of times playing. They are happy to sit in

and soak up pressure. It is a dangerous game to play against the

Japanese. They are moving the ball. They are growing in confidence. They

are relentless. Pandrelli did not cut looked comfortable. -- did not

look comfortable. He is thinking about another change. It is a free

kick to Japan. De Sciglio got that one wrong. Hasebe had -- has had a

good tournament. Italy will take off Giaccherini. Took a while to get

into the game. He certainly did. There was a spell towards the end of

the first-half when he looked better after the tactical chains. He is

tired. The Italians using their squad well. He hit the post just

before half-time, Giaccherini. Italy make the change defending a

dangerous set piece. It is 3-3! What a game this is. The best game of the

tournament so far. Italy three, Japan three. They are alive in the

competition again. Okazaki. They should be an Italian in front. Poor

defending again from the Italians. Fantastic ball in from Endo. Buffon

can do nothing. 34 goals in 65 International 's for the Stuttgart

-based player. -- International 's. He pushed in white, he wanted to

stay white. He has responded. -- he pushed wide he wanted to stay white.

He got a hat-trick in their Asian Cup Triumph against Saudi Arabia.

never like to see a manager making a change before a set piece. Italy got

themselves in front and stopped playing. I think it has something to

do with the conditions as well. You are having to push yourself to play.

You don't expect that from the Italian defenders. A great finish.

Ever since he made his debut nearly 11 years ago, Endo has been

brilliant at delivering a set piece. Brilliant player. They love him in

Japan. He makes his team take. You were saying his legs are going. Not

tonight, not on this showing. many coaches out there are thinking,

making a substitution just before a set piece? That was a strange one.

It was a brave one. Look at Japan. Blocked by Buffon! Honda again. This

time it is away by Barzagli. He seems to be labouring. Italy as a

team are labouring. I am sure the managers watching Honda tonight, he

is on a free transfer during the summer, will have been impressed.

Look at the energy. Maybe he should have put that in the corner. He went

a long way. Endo with the corner. Japan are going to make another

of the ball. You still feel if the Italians can get the ball to

Balotelli... Unless he is going to come off here, is he? Balotelli has

got that about him, where he can do it in a one against one. Sakai has

come on. Picked up a leg injury in the Olympics. Played seven of his

ten internationals this season. He counted. The flag stayed down. The

referee said it was handball. the referee has got it right. But I

tell you, this fellow is really difficult to play against. He just

puts his arm out. Just gets it slightly wrong. I just wonder if he

is going to be the matchwinner 40, 489 people in the stadium. If it

stays like this, Brazil will be through after their earlier victory.

Italy would need a point against Brazil at the weekend to go through.

If they lose that, and Japan beat Mexico, it goes to goal difference

between Japan and Italy for second place. Balotelli was held back but

he has this tendency to stop and must demand the free kick. He is

like a kid in a playground. He is being fouled. Will the game take

another wicked turn? There was just too much on that one. Pirlo, the

maestro. His team had more attempts on goal than any other team at euro

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again. The referee says play-On. Hasebe. Well, well, well. I thought

that was going to fly in. Balotelli lost the ball. Toshiba came running

out with it. -- Yoshida. The ball flew past the far post. It was a

great hit. He just could not keep it down. He has written a book about

positive thinking. Drilled that attitude into his team-mates.

strike -- to try to stop Nagatomo from getting forward. Japan just

at left back in the European Championships. And he was injured.

Another substitution for Japan. Mike Havenaar were,. -- will come on and

replace Maeda. His dad was a Dutch goalkeeper. I seem to remember he

was a team-mate of Gary Lineker when he played in Japan. I wonder if Gary

can confirm that a little bit later on. He has had a very good spell

with Vitesse Arnhem, Havenaar. certainly gives them something

different. I was watching them training. He is a big lad. It will

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be interesting to see what he can again. There is a great roar that

rises up from the belly of the -- we'll Balotelli have another

counterattack. Honda is through the middle. Played just behind him.

Okazaki went beyond Montolivo. Okazaki! Off the post and in! No!

Havenaar denied! Absolutely unbelievable. Okazaki did ever so

well. You think that is going in. He has got to score. It somehow hit the

crossbar. Unbelievable. He sculpted onto the post. -- he scoffed it onto

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taught in the first half about patients. Great play from the

Japanese. The Italians certainly know they are in a game. Just a

Italian. There are three Italians surely wrapped up the game and they

are through to the semifinals. After so much Japanese pressure in the

last 15 minutes, they are heartbroken. They are heading home.

You have got to hand it to the Italians. They have kept their

shape. They broke away and scored. This little man getting his goal.

Great movement off the ball. He just threads it through, plays it across

and he cannot miss from there. They have been punished, the Japanese.

They do not deserve it on their play on the second half but you have to

give the Italians credit. They hung in there. He was the finisher.

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caught in in the face. Yes, Chiellini knows exactly what he is

corner. Okazaki has been able to do exactly the same again, that run to

the near post, no one picking him wrote this script? It is a

thriller! He just cannot get out in time. The linesman did brilliantly

to pick that up. It is just offside. They hit the woodwork again. They

of the farm, a penalty at both ends, Japan have hit the woodwork three

times in this second half, a goal disallowed... It is hard during

member a more eventful game. -- to Confederations Cup. Italy runners-up

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have one last throw of the dice and send on Kengo Nakamura. He is on for

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Buffon's touch. Again, he did not tournaments, they will go out in the

group stage. A repeat of that Konno file. A yellow card, confirmation he

through after a fantastic evening of football! -- Chiellini with a foul.

Buffon could have been sent off after conceding a penalty in the

watched on from the dugout. Italy are through to the semifinals, Japan

are going home. Italy have beaten secures the victory for the

semifinals. Italy will need to beat the host when they meet on Saturday

if they are to beat Brazil's superior goal difference. The

concluding games in group a take place simultaneously on Saturday.

You can see Brazil against Italy on BBC Three at 7:30pm or Mexico and

Japan is life via the red button. I cannot remember seeing a game as

entertaining as that in a long time. Japan were truly terrific. They

deserved to win the game. Fair play to Italy though, for showing

resilience and coming back and winning the game. Yes, this is the

only time we agree. Japan deserved to win. They were outstanding. From

time to time Italy had a spell. They came out back in -- better in the

second half, got the two goals back-to-back. And then Japan got

back in the game, showed right spirit, Italy nicked it right at the

end. So many events to get through. This was the penalty that... For me

it is never a foul in the first place and if he nicked it past him,

I could see the referee giving a red card but because Buffon has won the

all and it is not a clear goal-scoring situation, he should

not get the red card. But John disagrees. It is a penalty for me

but in all fairness to Honda, he steps up and looks it away very

nicely. So that was a yellow card, not a read. Should it have been a

red, John? Yes, if he gives the penalty, he has to give a read. That

is my opinion. I think it is a yellow. This is a wonderful finish

from Kagawa, made it 2-0 to the Japanese. Yes, not great defending

their from Chiellini. A fabulous strike. But as John said, they got

back into the game from Pirlo. They took the header and a great -- the

corner and a great header from De Rossi. For about ten minutes before

half-time and after half-time they were dominant. Apart from that it

was pretty much all Japan. Yes, Japan had 55% possession. You have

to give them credit. They equalised fairly soon after half-time.

Unfortunately, an own goal. That should be going into the stand,

really. Giaccherini, I think it is. He is looking to square Balotelli.

Balotelli has got a simple tap in. Uchida robs him of a goal. He was

desperate there. He slipped it into his own net. Unfortunate for Japan.

We were not totally convinced about the first penalty decision. But the

second one was unbelievable. This is never, ever, ever a penalty. I don't

know what the referee has seen. He has given it handball. It is harsh.

It is harsh. It has hit his arm. But it was nowhere near intentional.

Balotelli, 22 penalties out of 22 is his record. He does not look like

missing. So cool. For a man who is so hard-headed, he certainly keeps

his cool when he takes a penalty. has the composure to pick his

corner. He has got a great record. Okazaki, who scored the next

equaliser for Japan, 30 odd goals for Japan. Previous to this one,

every time he had scored, they had never lost. Do you think they were

working on this in the week? There was not an Italian player there.

Montolivo was the near post man. How many times do you see it? If you get

across that mere man, the pace on the cross normally takes it in. A

great goalkeeper like Buffon, that is so near the goal. If you get

anything on the header, the pace takes the ball in. At that stage,

3-3, and every great game needs a winner, doesn't it? It looked like

Japan going to get it. They hit the woodwork about three times. Honda

was outstanding tonight. He has put himself in the shop window. There

will be a few looking to get him. This hits the post, hits the bar.

Incredible. How can our hit heads that over the bar from here, I don't

know. -- Kagawa. This is when you started to think it was not going to

be their evening. We were off our seats, weren't we? Great game.

had the winner. It went to Italy. the end, they nicked it. Japan would

still have been in the tournament if they got the trial. It was a good

move. Giovinco was not offside. He holds his run very well. 's first

goal for Italy in his 16th appearance. He will be relieved.

Strikers thrive on goals. What a ball from De Rossi in the build-up.

The best player denied? Under? on a free transfer as well. There

will be a number of clubs after him. Honda in the second half. Krakouer

in the first half. -- Kagawa. think the officials got the

disallowed goal right. Heeded. -- they did. Initially he was offside.

The fact it comes off the bar and he sticks it in, no goal. Correct

decision. What a competition. What a game. Game of the tournament.

games in the Confederations Cup come thick and fast. We have got two more

for you tomorrow. It has been a marvellous tournament. We have seen

lots of great games. That took the biscuit. We had seven goals. We

expected more from Italy. Another great game. I am sure Brazil and

Italy will want to avoid Spain in the semifinals. Italy play Brazil at

the weekend. They have got history between them. They will both be

going all-out to win game, I'm sure. Looking at that game you would have

your doubts about Italy going that far. They warned that convincing.

They have got to hope they win the group to avoid Spain. I think Spain

will batter them. Who do you fancy? I have got to go with Brazil.

Neymar, is he great? Not for me yet. John? I fancy Spain. Spain and

Brazil in the final. Thanks very much. Two more games tomorrow. Don't