Lippi assumes responsibility for failure

JOHANNESBURG - Italy coach Marcello Lippi took full responsibility for the reigning champions' disastrous World Cup exit following Thursday's dismal 3-2 defeat to debutants Slovakia at Ellis Park.

The loss ensured Italy finished bottom of what had appeared a weak Group F, including Paraguay and rank outsiders New Zealand.

Italy failed to win any of their games and while they finally seemed to find a solution to their scoring problems in the final quarter of an hour against the Slovaks, their normally impenetrable defense had already crumbled.