Totti fires at critics; Hiddink at ref
Italian match winner Franceso Totti has paused in his celebration of his side’s qualification for the quarter finals to fire a broadside at his critics in the Italian media.
“Now let the critics talk about me. Up till now they have massacred me. I am sure now they won’t be happy. I never answered back, as I was waiting to give my response on the pitch,” said Totti, who slammed home his side’s winning penalty against Australia.
At the same time, he also attempted to down play his role in the Azzurri’s victory.
“It was only a penalty, I didnt do that much,” the 29 year old added.
The Roma star played down speculation that he had had a fallout with coach Marcello Lippi after being demoted to the bench for the game.
“I have always said I try to repay the coach for his faith in me, but I think all of us are indispensable for the team.
“Were all on the same level in this squad.”
Meanwhile, Australian coach Guus Hiddink has expressed his disappointment at referee Luis Medina Cantalejo’s decision to award the crucial injury time penalty.
“I think it was a questionable penalty, but the referee gave it. He fell, it was just a normal challenge,” Hiddink said.
“The real problem was that the Australian team played well here but at the end of the day we were not deadly enough in the penalty area,” the Russian bound coach added.
“I am proud of this team, not only of the way they played today but in previous games.”