Arrg-zzurri blow it big-time vs. Kiwis

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/06/2010 (5949 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NELSPRUIT, South Africa — Defending champion Italy was held to another 1-1 draw Sunday, this time by New Zealand, in the latest World Cup surprise.

The 78th-ranked All Whites took the lead in the seventh minute when the ball glanced off 36-year-old Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, gifting a goal to Shane Smeltz. A long free kick from Simon Elliott sailed deep into Italy’s area, deflected off Cannavaro’s hip and went directly toward the waiting Smeltz for the tap in.

Riccardo Montolivo hit the post for Italy in the 27th, and Vincenzo Iaquinta equalized two minutes later with a penalty, after Tommy Smith was shown a yellow card for tugging down Daniele De Rossi inside the area.

"We’re just sorry we didn’t win a match we could have," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "If we didn’t win against New Zealand it’s our fault. Once again the opponent scored on their first chance. We were able to control the game after that, but this was a match we should have won."

Iaquinta appeared to celebrate as if he were blowing a vuvuzela, the plastic trumpets that have become a symbol of the World Cup.

At the final whistle, however, the celebration was located in one corner of the Mbombela Stadium, where a small section of New Zealand fans marked their country’s historic result by taking their shirts off and waving them around deliriously.

"I think that stopped the nation," New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said. "It’s the most incredible result we’ve had across the board. As a football coach, it’s way above anything we’ve achieved in the history of the game.

"We are always daring to dream. At the World Cup anything is possible — we’ve seen some strange results — but nothing as big as that one."

Iaquinta complimented New Zealand’s defence and called it a shame to draw.

"We’ve got to keep our heads up and move on," he said.

Long after the game ended, New Zealand fans remained inside the stadium, moving down to the lower level to continue celebrating, waving flags and blowing on vuvuzelas as the All White reserves played a training match.

Playing in only its second World Cup — having lost all three of its matches in 1982 — New Zealand gained a point for the second consecutive game after also drawing 1-1 with Slovakia in its opener.

New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston was virtually flawless, preserving the draw with a leaping save on a long, powerful effort from Montolivo in the 70th.

Italy controlled virtually throughout, but New Zealand nearly won when substitute Chris Wood sent an angled shot just wide in the 83rd.

Paraguay leads Group F with four points, followed by Italy and New Zealand with two points each. Slovakia is last with one point.

Italy meets Slovakia in its final group match on Thursday. New Zealand faces Paraguay.

Italy was also held to a 1-1 draw by Paraguay in its opener. The Azzurri looked sharper than they did against the South Americans but couldn’t beat the physical and tall New Zealand players in the air.

— The Associated Press

Italy 1 0 — 1

New Zealand 1 0 — 1

First Half

1. New Zealand, Shane Smeltz 1, 7th minute

2. Italy, Vincenzo Iaquinta 1, 29th (penalty kick)

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Second Half

No Scoring.

Shots — Italy: 22; New Zealand: 3.

Shots On Goal — Italy: 6; New Zealand: 1.

Attendance — 38,229.