The All Whites have scored one of the biggest upset wins of the World Cup after holding the defending world champions Italy to a 1-1 draw in their Group F World Cup encounter in Nelspruit.
All Whites striker Shane Smeltz shocked the Italians in the 7th minute, touching home a richochet in the box from a Simon Elliott free kick, giving New Zealand an unlikely 1-0 lead.
Italy, who had 59 per cent of possession in the first half and dominated the defensive-minded All Whites for large periods, equalised in the 29th minute when Vicenzo Iaquinta converted from the penalty spot after defender Tommy Smith was judged to have tugged the shirt of Daniele de Rossi.
Elliott's free kick was touched on by the head of Winston Reid and bounced off Italian captain Fabio Cannavarro for Smeltz to pounce on and poke past keeper Federico Marchetti, in goal for injured first-choice gloveman Gianluigi Buffon.
Italy's Riccardo Montolivo also struck the post from long distance minutes before the equaliser, leaving New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston standing.
The New Zealand side scrambled to hold on in the second half and managed to keep the Italian side from scoring again.
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 Friday. New Zealand faces Paraguay.作者: stefani 时间: 2010-6-21 09:28:21
I didn’t watch, my workmates did. Most of them got “red eyes” and very quiet today. So I always kidding them “wake up”. Ha……作者: smokedfishpie 时间: 2010-6-21 16:26:18
