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Italy held to shock draw by All Whites

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-21 07:33

NELSPRUIT - World Cup underdogs New Zealand punched above their weight on Sunday night to pull off a sensational 1-1 draw with defending champions Italy in their World Cup Group F clash here.

Italy's Simone Pepe fights for the ball with New Zealand's Rory Fallon (front) during their Group F match at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday June 20, 2010. [Agencies]

All Whites' center forward Shane Smeltz stunned the crowd at the Mbombela Stadium in the seventh minute when he capitalized on a long freekick and tapped the ball into the net.

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Italy pulled the goal back 21 minutes later when defender Tommy Smith was somewhat dubiously called for pulling Daniele De Rossi in the box and Vincenzo Iaquinta made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Despite having the bulk of play in the second half and several clear scoring opportunities, the Azzurri were unable to capitalize and may face an early exit from the Cup.

The Italians, with two points, will need a victory in their final group match against Slovakia on Friday to be assured of advancing to the final 16 while group leaders Paraguay, with four points and needing just a draw to advance to the next stage, face the dogged Kiwis (two), whose result against the men in blue was probably their greatest on the international stage.

The holders employed a 4-4-2 formation from the start rather than the 4-2-3-1 from Monday's 1-1 draw with Paraguay and then threw on three attacking substitutes as darkness fell but New Zealand dealt with the threat reasonably comfortably.

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.

Paraguay eye top

Paraguay are now eyeing top spot in the group after overpowering a lackluster Slovakia 2-0 in Bloemfontein.

A first-half goal from Enrique Vera and a late strike from Cristian Riveros were just reward for the attack-minded South Americans, who dominated the encounter in Free State stadium.

Delighted Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino said reporters his team had controlled the match against Slovakia, adding: "What's left now is to make it to the round of 16. We are getting closer to our objective to make it to the final rounds.

"I think these results first have strengthened us mentally, spiritually not just as football players but in our attitude," he said.

He said Paraguay had been able to create "goalscoring opportunities through pure pressure" but he would have liked to have scored more goals to boost the team's goal difference.

Man-of-the match Vera said Paraguay's aim was to top the group.

"We know we're getting closer but we know also that we must go on working and our intention is to be first in the group," he said.

Manchester City forward Roque Santa Cruz, who played as part of a front three in an adventurous formation, said the current side was the best in the country's history.

"It's the best team Paraguay has ever had. We've been playing together for years. We're very experienced and mentally strong," he said.

"Paraguay have never been in the quarterfinals. This is our goal and when we've reached that, everything's possible," he said.

"We've beaten Brazil and Argentina, two of the best teams in the world. That's shows everything's possible."

The South Americans, in their fourth straight finals, came into the tournament in great shape after beating Brazil and Argentina on the road to South Africa.

Paraguay, who have never progressed beyond the second round, are dedicating their games to Salvador Cabanas, the 2007 South American footballer of the year who was shot in the head in the toilet of a Mexico City bar in January. He survived but is on a long road to recovery.