Soccer-Lippi unrepentant despite Italy's early exit

By Mike Collett

PRETORIA, June 21 (Reuters) - Italian coach Marcello Lippi said he did not intend to change any of his planning for the World Cup next year, despite seeing his team eliminated from the Confederations Cup at the group stage on Sunday.

The world champions were well beaten 3-0 by an attacking, free-flowing Brazil who scored three times in an eight-minute spell just before halftime.

Italy finished third in the group on goal difference after the United States' shock 3-0 win over Egypt saw them snatch second place despite starting the day in last place with no points from their opening two games.

However, Lippi said he was right to make the selection he did and did not regret not giving any more youngsters a chance to make their mark in the team.

"What youngsters?," he queried when asked at his post-match media conference why he did not pick some younger players.

"You cannot throw seven or eight young players in at once, you need to integrate them, to change the team slowly. The best team I could choose was the one standing on the pitch tonight."

Italy were the oldest team in the competition with an average age of 28, although 35-year-old captain Fabio Cannavaro had a bitter-sweet night as he equalled Paolo Maldini's record of 126 appearances for his country.

The still-nimble defender was unable to prevent any of Brazil's goals, scored before halftime by Luis Fabiano, who grabbed two, and an own goal from Andrea Dossena.