Italy in winning start

Group G
Italy 2
Ecuador 0

Italy forward Christian Vieri struck twice to give his team a comfortable 2-0 win over Ecuador in their opening World Cup Group G match yesterday.

The Italians showed why they are among the favourites with an efficient display against the South American side making their first appearance in the tournament.

Vieri, who scored five goals in five games at the 1998 World Cup, quickly confirmed that he will again be one of the dangermen with a powerhouse display.

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni was happy enough with his side's performance, though he thought the enclosed stadium had caused some problems.

"We took the lead immediately, after which everything became easier," Trapattoni said.

"Things went well today. In the second half we felt a bit tired, but we hung on in there. To start in a stadium like this in Sapporo wasn't easy. The humidity and the closed atmosphere left one breathless."

Trapattoni's decision to play Francesco Totti in an advanced role alongside Vieri paid off handsomely.

The pair combined to open the scoring in the seventh minute - Totti screwing the ball back from the byline into the path of the onrushing Vieri who swept the ball past keeper Jose Cevallos with a clinical left-foot finish from 10 metres.

Totti, living up to his billing as Italy's key creative force, went close to a goal of his own just four minutes later, crashing a 20-metre shot just wide after a smart turn.

There was little work for the Italian defence, but when Ecuador's main marksman Agustin Delgado did found the slightest opening he was swiftly surrounded by three defenders.

Vieri doubled the Italian advantage in the 27th minute, outpacing Ulises De la Cruz as he chased a long ball over the top, and although Cevallos blocked the shot with his legs, the ball spun goalwards and Vieri had the simple task of knocking it into an empty net.

Ecuador coach Hernan Dario Gomez brought on Carlos Tenorio at the break in a bid to bolster his attack but Italy rarely give up a two-goal lead and typically took few risks in the second half.

Hernan Dario Gomez admitted his side had deserved to lose.

"It was very difficult match, it's tough to come here to the World Cup and play Italy in your first game," Gomez said.

"The players were very nervous and they were not quite ready but we played pretty well in the second half although of course we did not deserve victory," he added.

Alessandro Del Piero came on for Totti with 16 minutes remaining to claim his 50th cap, and although Delgado wasted a good chance in the final minute to claim a consolation for his side the Italians eased to a confident win.

Italy had won just one of their last five opening games at World Cups.

They play Croatia in their next match on Saturday, while Ecuador face Mexico on Sunday.

Italy: Buffon; Panucci, Nesta, Cannavaro, Maldini; Zambrotta; Tommasi, Di Biagio (Gattuso 69), Doni (Di Livio 64); Totti (Del Piero 74), Vieri.

Ecuador: Cevallos; De la Cruz, Hurtado, Porozo, Guerron; Tenorio (Ayovi 59), Obregon, Chala (Asencio 85), Mendez, Aguinaga (Tenorio 46); Delgado.

Referee: Brian Hall (USA).

Scorer: Christian Vieri 7, 27.

Yellow cards: Cannavaro (I); Porozo (E), De la Cruz (E), Chala (E).

HT: 2-0. Attendance: 31,081.