[quote]
World champions Italy needed a controversial penalty from Vincenzo Iaquinta to claim a 1-1 draw against World Cup minnows New Zealand in Nelspruit.
The Juventus forward hauled Italy level following a debatable decision after former Halifax striker Shane Smeltz had handed New Zealand a shock early lead at the Mbombela Stadium.
Italy dominated a compelling Group F contest thereafter but could not find a way past outstanding goalkeeper Mark Paston.
The surprise result keeps alive New Zealand's hopes of reaching the second round for the first time in their history and leaves Italy with much still to do.
The All Whites, buoyant after their last-gasp equaliser against Slovakia, made the perfect start as Smeltz crept into the box to give them a seventh-minute lead.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi had warned New Zealand's greatest threat would come from set-pieces and his side were caught out as Simon Elliott swung in a free-kick from the left.
The ball dipped over Alberto Gilardino and Leo Bertos and wrong-footed Fabio Cannavaro, who could only divert it into the path of Smeltz.
The Gold Coast forward, who has also played for Mansfield and AFC Wimbledon, gleefully accepted and poked past second-choice goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
Italy responded with a free-kick from Claudio Marchisio bouncing awkwardly and forcing Paston to save.
New Zealand were incensed when Rory Fallon was booked for catching Cannavaro in the face and replays did suggest contact had been minimal.
Italy complained soon after when Fallon's elbow appeared to connect with Giorgio Chiellini but this time Guatemalan referee Carlos Batres was lenient.
Moments earlier Chiellini had stabbed wide when well placed and then Riccardo Montolivo hit the post with a long-range shot as Italy stepped up the pressure.
New Zealand were caught out after 28 minutes as Daniele de Rossi went down in the area after the slightest of shirt pulls from Ipswich defender Tommy Smith.
The Kiwis complained about the decision but Iaquinta stepped up to convert from the spot, much to Italian relief.
New Zealand recovered their composure but Paston made a good save from a 20-yard De Rossi effort in first-half injury time.
Italy played at a slower tempo in the second period but dominated possession.
Half-time substitute Antonio di Natale threatened with a smart shot on the turn but Paston was equal to the half-volley.
Iaquinta controlled on the edge of the area but Winston Reid did enough to force him to fire wide as he turned.
New Zealand struggled to break out of their own half and it was not until just after the hour they threatened again, Ivan Vicelich firing narrowly wide after a Cannavaro clearance fell invitingly.
The introduction of Mauro Camoranesi gave Italy extra drive and he put Montolivo through to force a fine save from Paston from 25 yards.
Reid then claimed to have been caught in the face by Chiellini and stayed down as Italy attacked but the Danish-born defender soon recovered.
Italy's urgency increased as time ran down but Camoranesi and Di Natale both shot wide and Chiellini missed the target with a header.
Kiwi substitute Chris Wood, of West Brom, almost caught Italy off guard on a rare counter-attack eight minutes from time but shot across goal.
In a frantic finish Camoranesi then tested Paston from long range and Ryan Nelsen blocked well from Iaquinta as New Zealand held on for a famous draw.
[/quote]
Source:
[url]http://worldcup.sportinglife.com/report/0,28284,15247_3222298,00.html[/url]
Amazing, a rugby country can win against a football nation.
Italy sucks. They flop and cry a lot. New Zealand would have won had the referee not had a bet on Italy to win
So America wins?
[QUOTE=DarkSpider;22752050]Italy sucks. They flop and cry a lot. New Zealand would have won had the referee not had a bet on Italy to win[/QUOTE]
even if he dived it was still a foul in the penalty box from shirt pulling so it deserved a penalty. New zealands goal was offside and you don't hear anyone moaning about the ref for that.
nobody fucking cares, this isn't news
Are we gonna make a thread for every match now?
Isn't this what happens every year? Italy starts off slow but gets better later?
[editline]11:38AM[/editline]
[QUOTE=sporface;22752792]nobody fucking cares, this isn't news[/QUOTE]
I care, it's news to me. So get out of the thread if it bothers you so much.
No stalian!
Meh, Italy getting away with things...
[QUOTE=Nyaos;22752796]Isn't this what happens every year? Italy starts off slow but gets better later?
[editline]11:38AM[/editline]
I care, it's news to me. So get out of the thread if it bothers you so much.[/QUOTE]
Yeah the do get better near the end. Hopefully they stay in long enough to get good.
[QUOTE=Hamsterman;22752793]Are we gonna make a thread for every match now?[/QUOTE]
No, this is made only because its a one in a lifetime thing. I'm not that crazy to post every match. So if you made a thread about basketball, am I going to say this isn't news?
Too much BZZZZZ
[QUOTE=Ignhelper;22753041]No, this is made only because its a one in a lifetime thing. I'm not that crazy to post every match. So if you made a thread about basketball, am I going to say this isn't news?[/QUOTE]
Lol 'once in a lifetime thing'
How many draws have there been this year so far?
[QUOTE=sporface;22755511]Lol 'once in a lifetime thing'[/QUOTE]
It's the first time in my life that NZ has gotten to the world cup!
The best NZ has ever done in the world cup, scored a goal.
FUCK YEAH NZ PRIDE!
[QUOTE=RELAXiN;22769468]The best NZ has ever done in the world cup, scored a goal.
FUCK YEAH NZ PRIDE![/QUOTE]
That was always New Zealand's goal from the start.
This was the main story on the news today, I am already sick of hearing about it but I am a proud New Zealander though. It's nice to see a different kind of sport to e on the news apart from rugby all the time though.
[B]Edited:[/B] Fuck you Australia trying to claim we're part of your country and trying to get in on our glory just because you guys failed at the world cup :argh:
isn't new zealand one of those australian island territories?
[QUOTE=JLea;22770615]isn't new zealand one of those australian island territories?[/QUOTE]
it's part of the commonwealth, i.e. england, australia, canada, etc.
[QUOTE=JLea;22770615]isn't new zealand one of those australian island territories?[/QUOTE]
Are you serious?
[QUOTE=Cookies114;22771165]Are you serious?[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/general/constitution/preamble.htm[/url]
New Zealand is listed as part of the "The states" in the Australian Constitution. :downs:
[QUOTE=DogGunn;22771299][URL]http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/general/constitution/preamble.htm[/URL]
New Zealand is listed as part of the "The states" in the Australian Constitution. :downs:[/QUOTE]
That's Australian parliament for you
[QUOTE=DogGunn;22771299][url]http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/general/constitution/preamble.htm[/url]
New Zealand is listed as part of the "The states" in the Australian Constitution. :downs:[/QUOTE]
Doesn't mean it's Australia territory, New Zealand is no longer a state of Australia.
However theses are:
States, Territories and cities
New South Wales · Sydney · Newcastle
Victoria · Melbourne
Queensland · Brisbane
Western Australia · Perth
South Australia · Adelaide
Tasmania · Hobart
Australian Capital Territory · Canberra
Northern Territory · Darwin
[QUOTE=Cookies114;22771457]Doesn't mean it's Australia territory, New Zealand is no longer a state of Australia.
However theses are:
States, Territories and cities
New South Wales · Sydney · Newcastle
Victoria · Melbourne
Queensland · Brisbane
Western Australia · Perth
South Australia · Adelaide
Tasmania · Hobart
Australian Capital Territory · Canberra
Northern Territory · Darwin[/QUOTE]
Dude, I wasn't being serious.
[QUOTE=Ignhelper;22751848]Source:
[url]http://worldcup.sportinglife.com/report/0,28284,15247_3222298,00.html[/url]
Amazing, a rugby country can win against a football nation.[/QUOTE]
You're american then? It was a DRAW, both teams did not win like an american newspaper said with USA v england "USA WINS 1-1" :colbert:
Everyone in Australia bitched about how Italy dived against us in the last world cup.
[QUOTE=Mr. Agree;22771827]You're american then? It was a DRAW, both teams did not win like an american newspaper said with USA v england "USA WINS 1-1" :colbert:[/QUOTE]
How do you not understand how America "won"?
They drew with England, one of the most powerful soccer/football teams on Earth.
Much of America thought they would get annihilated against England, but they didn't.
It's amazing that NZ drew with Italy. Italy is another powerful team, whereas NZ is weak (and it's their first time in the World Cup AFAIK).
Not to mention that Italy's goaly(not sure how to spell?) is worth more than the entire All Whites
[QUOTE=marcus;22752724]even if he dived it was still a foul in the penalty box from shirt pulling so it deserved a penalty. New zealands goal was offside and you don't hear anyone moaning about the ref for that.[/QUOTE]
It was onside by a foot or so.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.
