Italy survive late onslaught for Belgrade draw

(Agencies)
Updated: 2003-09-11 09:21

Italy survived a late rally by Serbia and Montenegro to earn a 1-1 draw in a pulsating European Championship Group Nine qualifier on Wednesday.

The result means the Italians, runners-up in 2000, have a guaranteed playoff place at worst, while Serbia and Montenegro have lost all hope of reaching next year's finals in Portugal.

A win in their last game, at home to Azerbaijan, will secure top spot for Italy, ahead of Wales, who drew 1-1 with Finland on Wednesday.

"We were lucky to hang for a draw against a young and finely blended Serbia and Montenegro team.," said Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

"But we stuck to our task, showed great determination and came away with a much-needed point from a very difficult match.

"There is another game to go yet and it will be a battle and we will need to concentrate because tonight it was that lack of concentration that allowed them to equalise."

The Italians took a 22nd-minute lead through striker Filippo Inzaghi, who capitalised on a defensive blunder and scored from close range past helpless keeper Dragoslav Jevric to add to the hat-trick he scored in the 4-0 win over Wales on Saturday.

Italy were on the back foot for most of the match, however, and survived several scares before Sasa Ilic grabbed an 81st-minute equaliser when he tapped the ball in from a goalmouth melee after a corner by substitute Branko Boskovic.

Serbia and Montenegro piled on the pressure in the final 10 minutes but the Italian defence held firm, although Ilic had a goal disallowed in the 88th minute for an apparent infringement inside the penalty box.

Serbia and Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic was left to rue the many chances his men missed.

"We dominated for long spells but paid the price for not taking our chances," he said. "We played our hearts out for our fans and showed that this team has a bright future.

"It was a tough match against a great team. We can't be happy with the result because we are out of contention but there is nothing to be ashamed of."