Shane SMELTZ
Vincenzo IAQUINTA
Daniele De RossiMan of The Match
Defending champions Italy were held to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup Group F clash at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit by New Zealand, a team ranked 78th in the world.
Shane Smeltz’s close range effort gave New Zealand the lead as early as in the seventh minute and that was all they were looking for as they defended superbly from there on in. Italy did manage to equalise in the 29th minute with a Vincenzo Iaquinta penalty but could not get the winner despite having 17 shots (to New Zealand’s 3) and all of the 15 corners in the game.
It would be fair to say that Italy have not been playing like champs; nevertheless it was an outstanding effort from the Kiwis who have certainly left the Italians in more than just a bit of bother. Though the Azzuri can still make it through this group, they are now highly unlikely to top it after having drawn two games out of two. This means that they would have to face Group E winners (most likely the impressive Dutch) in the pre-quarters.It would be suffice to say that things are definitely looking bleak for Italy as their title defense hangs right in the balance.
Standings:
| Group F | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | +/- | Pts | ||
 | Paraguay | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 4 | |
| Italy | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| New Zealand | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| Slovakia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 | |
Player Line Up:
Italy: 12-Federico Marchetti, 4-Giorgio Chiellini, 5-Fabio Cannavaro, 3-Domenico Criscito, 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 22-Riccardo Montolivo, 6-Daniele De Rossi, 15-Claudio Marchisio (20-Giampaolo Pazzini 61'), 7-Simone Pepe (16-Mauro Camoranesi 46'), 11-Alberto Gilardino (10-Antonio Di Natale 46'), 9-Vincenzo Iaquinta
New Zealand: 1-Mark Paston; 6-Ryan Nelsen, 19-Tommy Smith, 4-Winston Reid, 5-Ivan Vicelich (21-Jeremy Christie 80'), 7-Simon Elliott, 3-Tony Lochhead, 11-Leo Bertos, 14-Rory Fallon (20-Rory Fallon 60') , 9-Shane Smeltz, 10-Chris Killen (13-Andy Barron 90')
Match Stats:
| Italy (ITA) | Statistics | New Zealand (NZL) |
| 23 | Shots | 3 |
| 7 | Shots on goal | 1 |
| 11 | Fouls Committed | 25 |
| 15 | Corner kicks | 0 |
| 0 | Direct Free Kicks to Goal | 0 |
| 0 | Indirect Free Kicks to Goal | 0 |
| 1 / 1 | Penalty Kicks | 0 / 0 |
| 1 | Offsides | 1 |
| 0 | Own goals | 0 |
| 0 | Cautions | 3 |
| 0 | Expulsions due to Second Caution | 0 |
| 0 | Direct Expulsions | 0 |
| 57% | Possession (%) | 43% |
| 42 | Actual playing time | 32 |
Man of the Match: 6, Daniele DE ROSSI (Italy)
Match Officials Referee
Carlos BATRES (GUA)
Assistant Referee 1
Leonel LEAL (CRC)
Fourth Official
Koman COULIBALY (MLI)
Assistant Referee 2 Carlos PASTRANA (HON)
Match Commissioner
Julio ROCHA LÓPEZ (NCA)
Fifth Official
Redouane ACHIK (MAR)
Carlos BATRES (GUA)
Assistant Referee 1
Leonel LEAL (CRC)
Fourth Official
Koman COULIBALY (MLI)
Assistant Referee 2 Carlos PASTRANA (HON)
Match Commissioner
Julio ROCHA LÓPEZ (NCA)
Fifth Official
Redouane ACHIK (MAR)
