New Zealand's striker Shane Smeltz (L) celebrates after scoring scoers past Italy's defender Fabio Cannavaro. - AFP Photo
NELSPRUIT: New Zealand achieved their greatest footballing result here on Sunday with a stunning 1-1 draw agaisnt defending champions Italy in their World Cup Group F match.
The All Whites – who lost all three of their matches on their previous appearance in 1982 – took a shock lead through Shane Smeltz in the seventh minute only for Vincenzo Iaquinta to level through a penalty later in the first half.
The draw puts both teams on two points with just a match remaining. The Kiwis will play group leaders Paraguay while the Italians play bottom side Slovakia on Thursday.
The Italians laid siege to the All Whites’ goal for most of the second half but a combination of resolute Kiwi defence, brave goalkeeping by Mark Paston and errant passes condemned the reigning champions to their second consecutive draw of the tournament.
As much as the four-time champions dominated possession they could not come up with the winner and the Kiwis came close to pulling off an unbelievable victory when substitute Chris Wood fired centimetres wide with seven minutes left.
Rank outsiders New Zealand got just the start they were after when from a Simon Elliott free kick in the seventh minute Winston Reid got a flick onto Fabio Cannavaro’s thigh for Smeltz to poke home past goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
But the Italians hit back when left-back Tommy Smith was yellow carded after he brought down Daniele De Rossi inside the area and referee Carlos Batres pointed to the spot.
Iaquinta sweetly converted for the Azzurri to equalise after 29 minutes.
Coach Marcello Lippi threw all his three substitutes into the action after 15 minutes of the second half in an effort to unlock the determined Kiwi defence.
Riccardo Montolivo drew a great flying one-handed save from Paston with 20 minutes left as Italy went all out for the winner.
But the All Whites kept their structure and composure repelling continual waves of Azzurri attacks, with skipper and defensive rock Ryan Nelsen outstanding and Paston pulling off some critical saves.
It was New Zealand’s first draw with Italy after losing to them 4-3 in a friendly in their only other meeting before last year’s Confederations Cup in South Africa.
Italy must now look for a win against Slovakia at Ellis Park on Thursday to ensure they go through to the last 16, while New Zealand have to play Paraguay in Polokwane on the same night. – AFP
STATS:
First half: 1, New Zealand, Shane Smeltz 1, 7th minute. 2, Italy, Vincenzo Iaquinta 1, 29th, penalty kick.
Second half: None.
Shots: Italy 22, New Zealand 3.
Shots On target: Italy 6, New Zealand 1.
Yellow Cards: New Zealand, Rory Fallon, 14th; Tommy Smith, 28th; Ryan Nelsen, 87th.
Offsides: Italy 1, New Zealand 2.
Fouls Committed: Italy 12, New Zealand 24.
Fouls Against: Italy 22, New Zealand 11.
Corner Kicks: Italy 15, New Zealand 0.
Referee: Carlos Batres Gonzalez, Guatemala. Linesmen_Leonel Leal, Costa Rica; Carlos Pastrana, Uruguay.
Lineups:
Italy: Federico Marchetti; Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Domenico Criscito; Simone Pepe (Mauro Camoranesi, 46th), Daniele De Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo, Claudio Marchisio (Giampaolo Pazzini, 61st); Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alberto Gilardino (Antonio Di Natale, 46th).
New Zealand: Mark Paston; Winston Reid, Ryan Nelsen, Ivan Vicelich (Jeremy Christie, 81st), Tommy Smith, Tony Lochhead; Leo Bertos, Simon Elliott; Rory Fallon (Chris Wood, 63rd), Christopher Killen (Andrew Barron, 90th, injury time), Shane Smeltz.
