Cannavaro skippered the Azzurri to their 2006 World Cup triumph, a run that included a 1-0 defeat of Australia in the round of 16.

In Kaiserslautern, the Socceroos enjoyed 40 minutes with a man advantage over Italy but fell victim to a contentious penalty in injury time when Fabio Grosso tumbled over Lucas Neill's outstretched leg.

Cannavaro, who marshalled the defence to withstand Australia's best efforts, smiled when recalling the memory.

"There is question from 2006, whether it was a penalty or not ... as my old coach said a long time ago, it's a penalty if the referee sees a penalty," the ex-Juventus and Real Madrid defender said through a translator.

"As a player it was always not easy to play against Australia. It was always very difficult.

"Especially that match at the 2006 World Cup ... we were one player less.

"But defensively we were playing good. We were very concentrated.

"And this penalty came at the best time."

Then breaking into English, Cannavaro broadened his smile further.

"It was perfect," he said.

Then, a new twist on an old question.

If VAR was around at the 2006 World Cup, might referee Luis Medina Cantalejo have made the same call on the fateful decision?

Cannavaro had no doubts, backing the rollout of the controversial system.

"Yes," he said.

"We often talk about this VAR, this new technology. It's very important new technology.

"On the pitch maybe it's not clear. You cannot see ... maybe from another angle in front of the TV it's much more clear.

"But it's, as always, football. It's easy to be much more polemic about this and that."

Cannavaro is in Australia as the coach of Melbourne Victory's formidable Asian Champions League opponents, Guangzhou Evergrande.

After beating Victory 4-0 at home earlier this month, the Chinese Super League giants - who count Brazilian stars Paulinho and Talisca among their number - will be out for the kill at AAMI Park as they look to secure knockout-phase qualification.

Australian Associated Press