Such an amazing story-line :thumbs:
I want this to happen...with all my :heart2: !
Cannavaro looking to get 100th cap in final
Associated Press
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) - If Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro keeps playing this well, he could be making his 100th international appearance in the most special game of all.
Oliver Hinz | Jamie Trecker
Nick Webster | Bobby McMahon
Cannavaro made his 98th appearance Friday with a typically rugged and gifted defensive display to help Italy to a 3-0 win over Ukraine and a place in the World Cup semifinals against Germany.
If Italy keep on winning, he would win his 100th cap in the July 9 final.
Playing almost as an old-fashioned sweeper, Cannavaro's anticipation and vision made lauded Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko look sluggish.
Ukraine's other striker, Artem Milevskiy is 15 centimeters (six inches) taller than Cannavaro but was still out-jumped by the Juventus player.
Cannavaro is such a defender that he has only scored once since making his debut in 1997. He has been captain since the 2002 World Cup and, at 32, is unlikely to be playing at the next tournament.
Cannavaro spent most of Friday's game shadowing Shevchenko, who he has faced off against many times in Serie A during a career that has included spells with Napoli, Parma, Inter and Juve.
Shevchenko signed for Chelsea earlier this month after seven years at AC Milan.
Short and squat in a position dominated by the tallest players on the field, Cannavaro was even looking for a goal against Ukraine, jogging into the opposition penalty area at set pieces to try his luck.
His lack of height paid dividends in Italy's second goal. Unmarked from a corner, Cannavaro couldn't reach the ball and the 19-centimeter (8-inch) taller Luca Toni headed in from behind him with ease.
Once voted Italy's sexiest man, Cannavaro has faced many sterner tests than Friday's match.
Tuesday's semifinal in Dortmund against Germany, with its large, powerful and quick strikers, will test his foresight and interception skills to the limit.
Ukraine had little to disturb Cannavaro, even though his regular defensive partner Alessandro Nesta sat out the game because of injury and was replaced by Andrea Barzagli.
The build up to Germany 2006 has been far from ideal for Cannavaro, with his club Juventus at the center of a soccer corruption scandal. Cannavaro has had to read accusations that he was ordered to play poorly in the build up to his transfer from Inter to Juventus two years ago.
Some critics said before the World Cup that he should resign as captain because of his alleged involvement.
"That really hurt me and made me think a lot. I've always had great values in soccer and my daily life," Cannavaro said. "To hear your reputation being discussed like that really bothered me. The only way I can make people understand who I am is by showing them on the field, and fortunately that's where I perform best."