NELSPRUIT–Defending champion Italy was held to another 1-1 draw yesterday, 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 equalised two minutes later with a penalty, after Tommy Smith was shown a yellow card for tugging down Daniele De Rossi inside the area.
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. 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 and again had a tough time weaving their way through to the goal. Lippi lamented the way his players continually resorted to high balls, something he had been wary of in the match buildup. Italy also struggled in the air against New Zealand a year ago, falling behind twice before pulling out a 4-3 win in a friendly before the Confederations Cup. Italy hasn't won since beating Sweden 1-0 in a friendly in November, a streak of five games that includes four draws and a 2-1 loss to Mexico in a World Cup warmup.
Italy concluded with three strikers on the field–Iaquinta and substitutes Antonio Di Natale and Giampaolo Pazzini–but often appeared confused in attack. Lippi had no excuses, despite missing his top two players–with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and midfielder Andrea Pirlo both injured. Buffon could miss the rest of the tournament due to a herniated disk. Both teams pushed forward from th0e start but were unable to create any clear chances until New Zealand took the lead on a set piece–exactly what Italy was concerned of before the game, considering the physical attributes of the tall All Whites. The goal was New Zealand's only shot on goal the entire match.
After Iaquinta's equalizer, the Azzurri kept up the pressure, but Domenico Criscito missed a long shot high in the 31st and Paston had some trouble batting away an attempt by De Rossi from beyond the area in the 45th. Italy wore black armbands in memory of former national team defender Roberto Rosato, who died yesterday at the age of 66.