[Azzurri] Buffon caps century with clean sheet

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon celebrated his 100th game for the Azzurri by keeping a clean sheet as Marcello Lippi's side drew 0-0 with the Netherlands in a friendly between the two 2010 FIFA World Cup hopefuls.

Despite losing Robin van Persie to an injury after only 15 minutes, the Netherlands enjoyed the majority of the possession during the first half in Pescara.

In fact, they created the clearest opportunity to score just five minutes later, when Dirk Kuyt's right-footed shot flashed just wide after the defending world champions' defence had failed to clear a dangerous Eljero Elia cross.

Italy forward Raffaele Palladino then had a good shot saved by Maarten Stekelenburg and four minutes before half-time the Genoa player fired over from close range following an Andrea Pirlo corner from the left.

The visitors continued to press after the restart, only to fail to craft any threatening chances against a well-organised rearguard, in which both Giorgio Chiellini and Fabio Grosso collected bookings for fouls on Kuyt.

Italy finished well and went close to breaking the deadlock when substitute Giuseppe Rossi sidestepped the onrushing Stekelenburg after a good pass from Domenico Criscito, however the Villarreal striker was forced to go wide in the process and failed to reach the ball with the goal open.

Lippi's men welcome Sweden in another friendly test on Wednesday night.

World Cup Play-off Results:
Saturday 10 October
Bahrain 0-0 New Zealand
Saturday 14 November
Costa Rica 0-1 Uruguay
Greece 0-0 Ukraine
New Zealand 1-0 Bahrain (Agg: 1-0)
Portugal 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Republic of Ireland 0-1 France
Russia 2-1 Slovenia

World Cup Play-off Fixtures:
Wednesday 18 November
Algeria v Egypt
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Portugal
France v Republic of Ireland
Slovenia v Russia
Ukraine v Greece
Uruguay v Costa Rica


World Cup qualifiers so far:
Saturday 15 May 2004
South Africa (Africa 2010 Hosts).
Saturday 6 June 2009
Japan (Asia Round 4 Group 1), Australia (Asia Round 4 Group 1), South Korea (Asia Round 4 Group 2), Netherlands (Europe Group 9).
Wednesday 17 June 2009
North Korea (Asia Round 4 Group 2).
Saturday 5 September 2009
Brazil (South America).
Sunday 6 September 2009
Ghana (Africa Group D).
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Spain (Europe Group 5), England (Europe Group 6), Paraguay (South America).
Saturday 10 October 2009
Ivory Coast (Africa Group E), Germany (Europe Group 4), Denmark (Europe Group 1), Serbia (Europe Group 7), Italy (Europe Group 8), Chile (South America), Mexico (Concacaf), USA (Concacaf).
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Switzerland (Europe Group 2), Slovakia (Europe Group 3), Argentina (South America), Honduras (Concacaf).
Saturday 14 November 2009
New Zealand (Inter-continental play-off), Nigeria (Africa Group B), Cameroon (Africa Group A).

Source: UEFA