Italy are favourites to reach the quarter-finals but have already showed they may be vulnerable to hard-tackling, physical opponents after a bruising 1-1 draw against the United States -- their only blemish and the eliminated Americans' only point.
Two of the four quarter-finals are now known after England and Portugal won on Sunday to set up a showdown next weekend. Germany and Argentina collected their tickets to a mouthwatering clash on Friday with the victories they secured on Saturday.
All four round of 16 winners so far topped their groups and Italy will be aiming to continue that trend.
Feisty Australia, second in Group F, arrived in Germany at their first World Cup for 32 years as rank outsiders but caught their more fancied opponents Japan and Croatia off guard with late goals and endless waves of fearless attacks.
They hope to catch Italy napping in what promises to be an eventful match in Kaiserslautern starting at 5 p.m. (1500 GMT).
On top of Australia's growing confidence, their coach Guus Hiddink has already proved that he knows how to crack Italy. The Dutchman coached South Korea four years ago when they knocked the Azzurri out of the World Cup in the second round.
FITNESSE EDGE
Italy are "100 percent favourites", according to Hiddink. His Socceroos nevertheless believe they hold a fitness edge and have proved they can run hard for the whole 90 minutes.
They scored three in the final eight minutes to beat Japan 3-1 -- their first World Cup goals and win -- and twice fought back from a goal down to draw 2-2 with Croatia. Their only loss was by 2-0 to world champions Brazil as they came second.
| |||||||||||
The Australians have already achieved their aims -- to score a goal, win a match and advance to the knockout phase. They said they have nothing to lose and insist the pressure is on Italy.
The Italians, eager to forget an ongoing investigation into match-fixing back home, would surely get another stormy reception if they faltered again before the quarter-finals.
Australia plan to borrow the tactics the U.S. used with success against Italy -- a match marred by flying elbows, three red cards and a bloodied face for U.S. striker Brian McBride.
In Monday's second match in Cologne at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT), Switzerland will be looking for another clean sheet against Ukraine to advance to the last eight in the slot opposite the winners of the Italy-Australia match.
The Swiss are the only team left in the tournament who have not conceded a goal. They finished top of Group G ahead of former world champions France, South Korea and Togo.
Both teams will be back in action only three days after their final group matches. Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn has hinted that he could make several changes to his starting lineup to ensure the team have fresh legs.
Ukraine, who recovered from a 4-0 drubbing by Spain in their first match to record victories over Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, have four defenders suspended or injured so coach Oleg Blokhin will have to improvise when selecting his rearguard.
