Target man Toni leads Italy's challenge

DUISBURG, Germany, June 11: Italy striker Luca Toni is aiming to make his mark at the World Cup finals when they open their campaign against Ghana in Hanover tomorrow.

Record-breaking Fiorentina forward Toni became the first player in 47 years to score over 30 goals in Serie A and also broke his club's tally for most goals in a season.

When he takes the field against Ghana, the 29-year-old will complete his climb from Serie B, where he played for Palermo just three seasons ago, to the greatest stage in the game.

''You would have to have been completely crazy to think that when I was in Serie B I could end up at the World Cup,'' said Toni, ''But that is the beauty of football, these things can really happen.

''There is a huge desire on our part to just get out there and put all our work into practice. I've never been at an event like this and so it is really exciting for me,'' said the forward who has hit seven goals in 18 games for the Azzurri.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi's plans for the finals have been disrupted by injuries with defender Gianluca Zambrotta and midfielder Gennaro Gattuso ruled out with thigh injuries.

Although central defender Alessandro Nesta has been declared fit, Lippi still has a worry over the form of key forward Francesco Totti who has yet to regain full match fitness after three months out with a broken ankle.

Italy go into the finals on the back of an 18-match unbeaten run and their status as favourites for tomorrow's game is enhanced by the knowledge that they have never lost to an African side.

But Ghana, making their World Cup debut, are full of confidence and convinced they can provide an upset.

''I think the pressure is on Italy and this is our first World Cup we have nothing to lose,'' said striker Matthew Amoah while Ghana's Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic said he was unfazed by Italy's attacking options.

''Any frontline of Italy's will be strong. They have six strikers and all six can be starters. But in our defence and midfield defenders we have the players who can stop them,'' he said.

Italy are making their 17th World Cup finals appearance and won the title in 1934, 1938 and 1982 but they suffered disappointment four years ago when they were eliminated in the second round by co-hosts South Korea.

Probable teams:

Italy (4-3-1-2): 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 22-Massimo Oddo (or 2-Cristian Zaccardo), 13-Alessandro Nesta, 5-Fabio Cannavaro, 3-Fabio Grosso; 16-Mauro Camoranesi, 21-Andrea Pirlo, Simone Perrotta (or 4-Daniele De Rossi); 10-Francesco Totti; 9-Luca Toni, 11-Alberto Gilardino.

Ghana (4-4-2): 1-Sammy Adjei; 15-John Paintsil, 4-Samuel Kuffour, 5-John Mensah, 6-Emmanuel Pappoe; 11-Sulley Muntari; 8-Michael Essien, 10-Stephen Appiah, 18-Eric Addo; 3-Asamoah Gyan; Matthew Amoah.

Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)

REUTERS

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