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By Lakis Avraamides
LARNACA, Cyprus, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Antonio Di Natale scored twice as Italy started the defence of their World Cup crown on Saturday with a lucky 2-1 win over Cyprus in their Group Eight qualifier.
The striker fired home a stoppage-time winner after he had put Italy ahead in the eighth minute, driving a low right-footed shot into the corner when allowed space outside the area by the Cypriot defence.
Efstathios Aloneftis had deservedly levelled for the hosts in the 29th, pouncing when defender Marco Cassetti dithered instead of clearing the rebound of a Gianluigi Buffon save from a Konstantinos Charalampidis shot.
Despite the result, Cyprus outplayed the Azzurri for long periods of the game, giving 2006 World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi a lot to think about after his first competitive match since being recalled to replace Roberto Donadoni.
"There was not much difference between the two teams. Cyprus were unlucky on a number of occasions and at times I had the feeling we were going to lose," Lippi told a news conference.
"It was a great relief to win at the end."
Italy looked shaky in the opening exchanges when keeper Buffon had to make saves to keep out Aloneftis and Michalis Konstantinou.
The hosts remained aggressive after Di Natale's opener and Azzurri captain Fabio Cannavaro had to make a desperate clearance in front of goal from Konstantinou after Buffon had repelled an Ioannis Okkas effort in the 10th.
BAD LUCK
Italy had bad luck with injuries, defenders Andrea Barzagli and Cassetti coming on after Alessandro Gamberini and Fabio Grosso were hurt in the opening 18 minutes.
Lippi tried to buck up the world champions, bringing on midfielder Gennaro Gattuso for ineffective forward Luca Toni at halftime.
Italy's Alberto Gilardino failed to take advantage in the 68th when a deflection diverted the ball into his path in front of goal.
But Cyprus were still dangerous and substitute Dimitris Christofi wasted a great chance in the 75th, pulling his shot wide with only Buffon to beat after slipping between two defenders.
In the closing stages Cyprus's Elias Charalambous twice rifled the ball narrowly past the post before Di Natale snatched victory for the visitors in the 92nd minute, converting a chip from Mauro Camoranesi after a nice heel pass from Gilardino.
"We are very upset. We had a very good game and my players proved that they can play very good football against any opponent," Cyprus coach Angelos Anastasiadis said.
"We were not happy with a draw, imagine how we feel now after losing the game."
The performance was confirmation Cypriot football had improved significantly. They beat Wales and Ireland and drew with Germany in Euro 2008 qualifiers and Anorthosis Famagusta overcame Greece's Olympiakos Piraeus to become their first club to reach the Champions League group stage.
The Azzurri play Georgia in four days' time in the northern Italian city of Udine in their next game in group eight, which also features Bulgaria, Montenegro and the Republic of Ireland.
