HAMBURG, June 23 - Italy had little time to savour qualification for the second round of the World Cup -- within hours of their victory over the Czech Republic two spectres returned to haunt them.

As the Azzurri players were sat on their coach heading away from the stadium in Hamburg, back home in Italy prosecutors announced they were charging the clubs of 13 of the Italy squad with a series of offences linked to the match-fixing scandal which has engulfed Serie A.

Then a few hours later, the Italians discovered the identity of their second-round opponents -- Australia, coached by Guus Hiddink, the man who masterminded Italy's traumatic elimination at the same stage of the last World Cup.

The announcement of the clubs and individuals who will have to answer charges at a tribunal which opens next week in Rome was deliberately timed so as to allow the Italian team to play and then meet the media without having to confront the issue.

Juventus, the club of Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, face the biggest risk of demotion to Serie B at the end of the tribunal process.  

AC Milan, who boast Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso among their leading players, Lazio, the club of Azzurri defender Massimo Oddo and Fiorentina, whose top player is Italy striker Luca Toni, are also facing charges and possible sanctions.

No players have been charged and there has been no suggestion in any of the leaked telephone transcripts that have formed the basis of the investigation into refereeing appointments that any player has been implicated in wrongdoing.

But the scandal cast its shadow over Italy's build-up to the finals and although coach Marcello Lippi and his players have insisted that their minds are focused firmly on the World Cup, it is hard to imagine the 13 players are entirely unconcerned by the threat that they could become Serie B players.

How long they remain World Cup participants depends on the outcome of their second-round tie against Hiddink's Australia in Kaiserslautern on Monday.

Four years ago Hiddink was in charge of co-hosts South Korea and the Dutch coach led the Asian nation to the semi-finals -- knocking out Italy and Spain along the way.

The Italians remember their defeat to the Koreans mostly for refereeing decisions but they would be well advised to recall the way in which Hiddink's tactics and his players aggressive approach caused them so much trouble.

His Australia side have already caused one major upset by making it to the second round ahead of more fancied Croatia, who they drew 2-2 with on Thursday to secure second spot behind Brazil in group F.

"Hiddink is an expert coach who knows Italian football very well but we are sure of our strength and we will take on Australia with great confidence," said Italy coach Lippi.

"Australia are a well organised team and my scouts have watched them and from Friday we will study their reports," he added.

Hiddink will also have some studying for his players to do as he explains to them exactly how to go about pulling off a shock against Italy.

As well as being a master tactician, the Dutch coach is also a fine motivator and it would be no surprise if a video of South Korea v Italy was on the agenda for the Australians' pre-match preparations.

Lippi and his team would be well advised to take a look at that match as well.