YESTERDAY I put on what I was convinced was the best bet of my life.

An hour before kick-off in the game between Italy and Souh Korea I backed Christain Vieri to be the top scorer in the World Cup at odds of 16-1 - yes 16-1.

This was a player with three goals already, would've been four but for an outrageous offside decision and they were about to take on a team that Italy should be able to beat.

Sitting here four hours later and £20 poorer and suddenly I don't feel so clever.

It could have been so very different. When Vieri headed home the opener in the first half I broke the record for a lap of the sports desk as I loudly reminded everyone of my golden gamble.

Even in the second half when he raced through and missed a great chance with his right foot I was sitting pretty. After all, Italy would not stuff this up - would they?

Si, si signor, you bet they would and my man Vieri was right up there as chief culprit.

Okay he could not be blamed for the late equaliser but how on earth did he miss that last gasp chance.

Okay his right foot is about as effective as a chocolate fireguard but he did not even have to shoot. All he had to do was divert the ball into the net, touch it, guide it.

For heaven's sake, that other Italian striker Ciccio Grabbi would have been odds on to score from there.

Put it in and not only would he be level with Miroslav Klose and Ronaldo at the top of the scoring charts, Italy would have been in the last eight and he would have been guaranteed at least one more chance to add to his tally.

Still, no matter, Italy were still in a position to win through until Francisco Totti saw the red card and then the whole of the stadium, and probably the country, went red as Ahn Jung Hwan, who plays in Italy for Perugia, headed home the golden goal three minutes from time.

It was a brilliant battling display, they have been a revelation throughout the tournament but, 19 times out of 20, Italy should beat them.

The last time that Italy lost to a Korean side in the World Cup it was in 1966 with Pak Doo Ik the hero.

Back then they were pelted with rotten tomatoes as they got off the plane and I only hope that this time they leave them in the cans.

And as for Signor Vieri, I hope that they save a pizza factory size tin of tomatoes for him.

Either that or feed Christian to the lions in the Colisseum. I'll certainly buy a ticket!