Italy v. New Zealand 1-1 20/Jun/10

Second Round, Third Game, Group F, Day 10. (28 of 64)


Shane giving the pain.
[Photo: Reuters via Daily Mail]


If you thought that the inanity of this hideous, flapping World Cup was supposed to continue, today the Kiwis gave us an spectacle far of what we could have imagined when they drew with the current World Cup champions at Nelspruit today. With that intrepid and interesting 3-4-3 formation, the New Zealanders embarked themselves into one of the greatest feats of an Oceanic team in the last couple years. Probably no one has told Lippi that this tournament has started -and after this, it may well come alive! To some this surprise would not have been the among the most welcoming, but for us lovers of football, a well-player, well-fought game that ends in a stalemate between the most ridicule of teams against a super power is not to be missed.

As in the vast majority of the groups things will be decided in the final games: 24th in Johannesburg and Polokwane were the Italians will try to grab a victory - plus goal difference - in order to aspire to win. The Kiwis, facing the qualified and relaxed Paraguay will hold great contest in order to snatch a pint and secure a feat which will probably live amongst the memories of all: New Zealand in the best 16 and Italy home. I look dear for that prospect.



Iaquinta from the spot.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


Whether one could think that the Kiwis will steal the day off, it mattered little in the very beginning of the match. It only took them eight minutes to put the world in the brink of madness after a controversial goal from Shane Smeltz. After a long freekick into the box, Reid pushed Gilardino after heading towards Shane; the striker did not hesitate and poked the ball past Marchetti. The following minutes saw the reordering of the Italian squad in the pitch. The Kiwi tactics had certain effect with that strange tactical deployment and only Montolivo and Chiellini came close.

After a couple of chances, the Italians reorganised themselves and put the New Zealanders into pressure. Many of their plays came from the mistakes of the disorganised and goofy possession of their opposition. Montolivo hit the post after a thunderous shot which Paston admired in its entirety. In the 28th minute the chance for the equaliser finally arrived as De Rossi was brought down in the box: Batres punished the Kiwis and conceded the penalty which Iaquinta converted. Before the break De Rossi shot at Gaston as the Jabulani did its dreadful thing.


Throughout the rest of the next forty-five minutes Paston was busy enough to save early, with a striking volley from Di Natale. The offensive changes made by Lippi seemed to make the squad move towards a positive direction despite the massive amount of bodies Herbert's men piled up. A shot from Vicelich was the sole effort the "visitors" managed to pull. By the seventieth minute, substitute Wood made a cheeky little flick to snatch off Cannavaro and shot just wide. Through certain moments, there was a sense of the All Whites pulling the game off. I thought about another "monumental upset" in the making.

Montolivo, Camoranesi and Zambrotta made decent attempts on target but Paston the hero was spot on on all occasions. Slowly the Kiwis had the feeling of a real happening while the Italian fans in the stadium were gutted, not only because they face a team of "lesser" quality, but because the horrific performance they were making. With the final whistle the embarrassment was completed and on the other side, happiness reigned.