I was going to do a live blog for the USA game against Slovenia, and in retrospect I wish I had done, because instead I went early to watch England’s dire performance against an organised Algeria side. There was also the fact that the USA game was hugely entertaining and I’m expecting their last match with Algeria to be much the same. Instead, I’m taking this game which involves the current world champions Italy against massive outsiders New Zealand. It’s been a slow start to this World Cup, but it’s not been short of talking points, drama and great football. In my opinion, it’s already a memorable World Cup and the best is yet to come. I’ll be watching from England on ITV1 (*sigh*) and as ever you can follow me on Twitter @Clusks and comments are welcome!
- I’ve said before on this website I’ve always had a soft spot for Italy, last season I think Serie A was the most exciting league out of the top four (EPL, Bundesliga and La Liga being the other three). I don’t understand the people that claim Italy are ‘too old’, sure Cannavaro is not the player he once was, but from my perspective it’s the same as us with Beckham, I love Beckham and think he is still a great player, so I’m sure due to the fact Cannavaro is an Italian legend, they want to honour that much like we honour Beckham. There is also the fact that Italy should start today with 5 or 6 players that could still be considered ‘young’ so most of these comments are unfounded. I do agree it will be hard for them to retain the cup, because it isn’t the same team that won it and a lot of these players don’t have the international experience the likes of Toni, Totti and Del Piero had.
- As for New Zealand, I once had Rory Fallon on Championship manager 2001/02 when I started a game as Barnsley. I apologise – that is as far as my knowledge stretches of New Zealand football.
- Would like to know if it is the same in every country but every single advert has jumped on the World Cup bandwagon, trying to link their adverts in any way possible to football. Any advert you could think of has been altered to fit football in there and to be honest it’s getting quite annoying. We have a supermarket in England called ASDA (owned by Wal-Mart) and they’ve put on pretty much every product a sticker that says “love the game”. So they are suggesting that while I watch the match, I enhance my enjoyment by digging into a potato salad or whatever. Advertising fascinates me, I have a degree in Psychology and I took a module that looked at advertising Psychology, the overall module was poor however if you wanted theories with some foundation to them.
- ITV have some nerve, doing a piece that points out Italy look a poor outfit. The difference has been pointed out, Italy drew their first game and their fans accepted it and felt they could build from it. On the other hand, England fans jumped on their team’s back and hit the panic button, in the never ending quest to prove we are somehow the greatest footballing nation in the world. From what I gather, Italian fans are somewhat happy for their team to put in as good a performance as they can and build upon it and in any case, no one has ever retained the World Cup since 1962, as you often have generations of great players, I can only think of Brazil that have had a constant stream of brilliant sides for however long. Italy have been blessed for the past two decades or so with amazing players, they need to rebuild. I never thought they’d win it, but it’s stupid to underestimate the Italian team
- Key Man Watch: For Italy, De Rossi is their key man now, I know often plays a more defensive role for his country, but I’d like to see him given more freedom, although with Montilivo and Marchisio in the side, he will probably have to sit back again, but he is still a ball winner. As for New Zealand, their top player is obviously Ryan Nielsen and I think he has the ability to handle Gilardino up front, who I’ve never quite fancied as a top level player.
- Oh, now the ITV commentators have spoke that the Italian press has been ‘worse than the English press’ when reporting on their side. Confusing, especially when I saw news that they were happy with the draw against Paraguay.
Kick Off!
2 Mins: Italy have started well, they look determined and Iaquinta has won a corner for his side.
4 Mins: Italy have dropped their formation that was slated by many, they’ve gone for a 442 here and when they adopted the formation after around 60 mins against Paraguay, they started to show their teeth.
7 Mins: GOAL! SMELTZ! NOW the press in Italy will be going mental, although it should have been called offside. It’s a deep free kick that is flicked on Winston Reid, and Smeltz get’s onto the end of it, but he was a mile off, how has the linesman missed that one. Italy need a quick response, but New Zealand are in dream land here. Italy 0-1 New Zealand.
9 Mins: A free kick whipped in by the Italian’s and it goes through everyone, Cannavaro almost gets a flick on it but Paston in goal is forced to punch it out.
10 Mins: Italy look really angry here, spreading the play out, as Pepe cuts inside but his shot is blocked. If they want to silence the critics, now is the time to do it.
13 Mins: If Italy, England and France all go out in the group stage, all hell will break loose in Europe. Fancy three established teams struggling like this.
16 Mins: Italy are constantly trying a long diagonal ball to the right wing, to their credit it has worked a number of times and on this occasion they get the corner. The corner is decent and it falls to Chiellini, but the centre back isn’t composed enough and shot is poor.
20 Mins: Quite a few elbows being thrown about by New Zealand, one has just caught Cannavaro in the ribs. I’m sure it’s part of their tactic to rough the Italian’s up.
22 Mins: Fallon hasn’t followed Zambrotta and the experienced right back is allowed to run forward and get a shot in on goal. I wonder what the likes of Toni, Totti, Del Piero, Balotelli and Cassano are thinking back in Italy right now?
24 Mins: Another elbow, although I’m sure Fallon was just trying to jumped as opposed to being malicious, but Chiellini has been caught. Last warning for the big Kiwi who has already been booked.
25 Mins: Patient play by Italy, and Motolivo whips a ball in to Iaquinta at the far post, but the keeper again manages to get a hand to it and has done well.
26 Mins: This time it’s Criscito who whips the ball in, but it seems to fall in between the three Italian’s in the box and New Zealand can get it clear.
27 Mins: For all his good work, Paston has his moments where he just doesn’t bother to move, I saw in the first game he was rooted to the spot. Montolivo strikes a lovely shot after New Zealand refuse to close the Fiorentina man down, and his low shot seems to take an age as it hits the inside of the post and goes out. Italy have them on the ropes here.
28 Mins: PEN! ITALY! Oh no, Tommy Smith can’t handle De Rossi’s movement so he handles his shirt and the referee gives the penalty. Yellow card and Iaquinta steps up to take this one.
29 Mins: GOAL! IAQUINTA! It was coming and that will be a relief to the Italian’s as if this had gone on any longer Italy would have become unbelievably frustrated. Penalty sends the keeper the wrong way and there are mass celebrations from the Italian players and fans. It may not have looked brilliant on paper, but we have another great World Cup game here!
32 Mins: The aren’t going to take their foot of the accelerator just yet Italy, a corner from Pepe that was stupidly given away by New Zealand goes straight through everyone but it falls to Criscito who turns his man, but on his right foot, he can’t direct it.
33 Mins: Lippi didn’t react to Iaquinta’s goal, but I’m sure that was more because it was a relief to get the goal back. Some of the coaches behind him went a bit mental though.
36 Mins: I hope you got that where ever you were, showed a fan blowing a vuvuzela, but the person next to them decided that they wanted to get some air time, so absolutely took them out to get in the picture. That’ll shut their vuvuzela up.
39 Mins: A freekick for Italy saw ITV co-commentator screaming ‘YOU GOT TO GET OUT THERE NEW ZEALAND! YOU’RE TOO DEEP!’ They can’t hear you Chris…
43 Mins: Clive Tyldsley you mupppet, he’s just claimed Pepe might be on his way to Juventus next season. He’s already signed on loan. Good research.
44 Mins: I’m aware there isn’t much update on the football here, it has died down a bit, it’s just been Italy showing their class and returning to their patient play. A lot more confident now from them and New Zealand are nervous.
45 Mins: Zambrotta almost made my heart melt, he flicked the ball over one defender and caught it on the volley, but his shot was cleared by Ryan Nielsen who needed to put his foot through the ball because Pepe was lurking at the far post.
45 Mins: De Rossi has a long range effort that the keeper gets behind but it goes back out into the centre of the box and it is cleared for a corner. From the resulting corner, half the ground thinks it is 2-1 as the ball is headed into the side netting for another corner. A good ball from the second attempt and Paston is under pressure and tries to punch the ball before getting underneath it at the second time of asking.
Half Time!
- It was a start that seemed to back up all the negative claims around the Italian squad, but that goal from New Zealand was almost like a slap across the face to wake them up, as since then they’ve looked a lot more confident and they’ve put New Zealand on the back foot. Zambrotta is rolling back the years here, I think he’s touched the ball more times in the New Zealand half than his own. New Zealand can still frustrate Italy, and the anonymous Gilardino may come off for Di Natale at some point if it stays 1-1.
- Also, for all the problems England and Italy both have, let’s all look on the bright side. We’re not French. French team has today refused to train, and this is one of the most bizarre stories from any World Cup I can remember. A lot of upheaval for all three sides after this World Cup!
- Reynaldo has made a good point on the comments, the New Zealand coach has been constantly claiming that the Italian players are diving from the elbows that are flying in, I’m not sure how can claim that, at the start of this game you wouldn’t be wrong to think that this was a rugby tie between these two nations. Also I haven’t seen any of ITV’s half time analysis (not that I’m missing anything) because my brother decided to turn the channel over the Rocky V for a bit. It’s not like he’s seen it 50 times before…
Second Half Kick Off!
- Two changes for Italy, Di Natale on for Gilardino (1 point for me) and surprisingly, Camoranesi has came on for Pepe. Lippi wants to keep them guessing.
48 Mins: Dodgy back pass to Paston and he’s forced to put it out as there is heavy Italian pressure.
49 Mins: Italy are attempting first time balls over the top of the defence, and one falls to Di Natale who isn’t afraid to get away his first shot of the game, but Paston palms it away. Di Natale could be a difference maker.
51 Mins: As this game has gone on, New Zealand are losing confidence, they can put their passes together and are over hitting everything. Saying that, with the first few passes Camoranesi has played in this second half, he’d fit in well with the Kiwi line up.
52 Mins: Interesting haircut Mr. Di Natale, from the back it appears his has a bit of fluff on the top, although i’m sure it’s more of a Mohawk from the front.
53 Mins: Chris Coleman “Italy don’t have a Roberto Baggio to open the back door here”. Didn’t in 2006 either, Chris.
55 Mins: New Zealand manage to get their first passing movement together for a long time, but I think they’re quite worried about the likes of De Rossi, when he comes charging forward towards them to try take the ball. To be fair, he looks like he’s going to run straight through them.
59 Mins: Leo Bertos has been gaining praise from the ITV commentators because he used to play in the English conference and now he’s playing Italy in the World Cup. In terms of real reasons to praise him, he’s just slid the ball past Criscito and got his side up the pitch and it’s nice to see a Kiwi take on the Italian’s.
61 Mins: Beautiful pass from De Rossi, almost in his own half, he picks out Iaquinta, who attempts to turn and shoot but it goes wide. Chris Coleman first calls it “pass of the game” then going on to call it “best pass we’ve seen so far” before finally rounding it off with “best pass we’ll probably see this tournament”. Something tells me he enjoyed that one
62 Mins: Lippi has enough, Marchisio is off and Sampdoria’s Pazzini comes on to join the Italian front line. New Zealand also make a sub, highly rated West Brom youngster comes on for Rory Fallon, only 18 Wood so he’ll relish this.
63 Mins: Crushing shot from Vicelich has Marchetti scrambling but it goes wide. That came out of nowhere.
66 Mins: Chiellini gets his head on a cross which agonisingly goes wide. I’m sorry I can’t got more in depth with that one, my computer decided to delete half of what I previously wrote, meaning I had to write some of it out again. It’s all happening at this World Cup!
68 Mins: Only 18, but Wood has the mouth of a 41 year old facist London cabbie, the sort that starts his claims with “if I was Prime Minister of this country…”. A freekick given against the youngster has him screaming at the linesman.
70 Mins: Montolivo may be no Pirlo in terms of passing, but he has some shot on him, another screamer from outside of the box has Paston making a brilliant save, this time the goal keeper managed to palm it out wide and Di Natale is unable to get onto it before it is cleared. Twenty minutes to go now, and no doubt it will be twenty minutes of Italian attack, although New Zealand could have a chance to catch them on the break.
73 Mins: Reid is down in the Italian box, but it doesn’t stop Iaquinta breaking on the counter attack, the ball in is great and Pazzini attempts to lay it back to Motolivo, but it is cleared only as far as Di Natale on the left wing and he attempts to smash the ball in, but New Zealand can clear it. If the New Zealand coach thought the Italian’s were diving from New Zealand stray arms, he should see the replay of Reid, nowhere near him – get up.
76 Mins: Just under 15 minutes to go and there isn’t one New Zealand player in the Italian half, the full backs need to get forward.
78 Mins: For the first time Camoranesi does something decent, with a great ball over the top to Iaquinta, but the striker wants the ball to come down and Tommy Smith is able to clear for a corner. From the corner Iaquinta has another bite at it but his header is headed over by Reid for another corner. The second corner is taken short and New Zealand are slow to react, but Criscito is even slower and just stops with the ball, the move ends with a poor shot from Camoranesi.
80 Mins: A shot similar to Camoranesi’s previously, Di Natale doesn’t connect well with the ball and Paston watches it go wide. Vicelich is coming off for Jeremy Christie here, taking his time coming off as us lovely viewers are treated to a number of Kiwi fans taking their shirts off.
81 Mins: Chris Coleman actually made a good point before, he said you can’t count out the Italian boys, more often than not they can pull something out the bag. Very true.
82 Mins: Another corner from Italy and Chiellini has a good chance but decides to go to the near post with his header rather than far post and it’s wide.
83 Mins: I’m sure Italian fans just felt their heart miss a beat, as Chris Wood get’s past Cannavaro and has a good shot that flashes across the goal and just goes wide. Camera pans to an Italian fan who looks drained, but we have been reminded that in 2006 Italy drew all three group games and ended up winning the whole thing.
86 Mins: Di Natale with another ball in, but once again Paston claims it easily. Time is running out here for Italy, Reynaldo says this reminds him of watching England. The Italian fans in the crowd resemble England fans against Algeria.
87 Mins: Ryan Nielsen has been on the floor with cramp and when he gets to his feet the referee books him. Time wasting? First time I’ve seen that.
88 Mins: Another long range shot, this time from Camoranesi and Paston makes another save and is looking a sure fire hit to be man of the match.
89 Mins: But ITV viewers have voted for Ryan Nielsen. Fine.
90 Mins: So close for Italy, great ball over the top for Zambrotta and his first touch sets him up perfectly but Ryan Nielsen throws himself in front of the ball to get it out.
91 Mins: Another cross into the box and another claim by Paston. Four minutes of added time.
92 Mins: A chance for New Zealand to run the clock down, Killen off for Barron. Apparently Andy Barron is on his holidays from his usually job of working at bank. A real kick in the teeth for Italy that.
Full Time!
- The world champions are held by New Zealand in another shock result at this World Cup. The most memorable moment in New Zealand football and there are more question marks over the Italian side. I think the footballing powers need to wake up a bit and realise that these supposed “less nations” aren’t just here to make up the numbers. North Korea battled against Brazil, Algeria frustrated England, New Zealand have held the reigning champions and God knows what is happening to the French team. Slovakia left for an Italian side that hasn’t won in 2010 and you’d a brave person to make a bold prediction on that game, like I said, in 2006 they drew every group game and won the cup. We’re getting “bizarre” scores at this World Cup, but should we really be surprised that these teams maybe got into the finals for a reason? They’re all very organised and aren’t afraid of anyone. Switzerland against Spain is an example, I think the problem is that a lot of the big teams are underestimating these teams that aren’t expected to challenge and now they pay the price. Anyone can win this World Cup from here – anyone! Thanks for reading.
Final score Italy 1-1 New Zealand.
just what this game needed to keep me interested! still can see italy coming back to win this.
haha love the new zealand coach saying chielinni dived
I think the ref has put an end to New Zealands rough housing tactics, some of those elbows were ridiculous though.
Italy need to get more width, put pressure on the keeper, he’s really nervous!
i can see a new zealand player being sent off in the second half. Good celebration for the italy goal aswell!
Should all make for an exciting second half!
he dived….glad you love our coach.
wood so close! this reminds me of watching england……
at least Italy attack
Rob,
Here’s my analysis on the Azzurri which I wrote for sister site http://www.SerieATalk.com
http://www.serieatalk.com/south-africa-2010-analysis-reasons-behind-italys-struggles/2588
Regardless of the performances. Italy failing to beat New Zealand is a bigger fuck up than England failing to beat Algeria.
True, but England were expected to walk through Algeria too
The big nations are really getting a shock here, I think they need to pay a bit more respect to these countries that aren’t considered to have a chance.
Italy actually domianted the match and New Zealand had one chance converted to a goal from a set-piece (after a Cannavaro mistake and debatable offside). All stats show the Azzurri should have won.
The main problem is the chances were all shots from distance through Montolivo and Camoranesi. Gilardino has to be on the bench because if he doesn’t score than he makes no contribution.
For Italy to beat Slovakia, Gilardino must not start and Di Natale ought to be given the chance to start. Iaquinta didn’t do much either but at least he converted the penalty and put an effort during the match.
Marchisio is playing out of position so it’s best to bench him as well. When not playing in his position the Juventus midfielder has not impressed and looked passive.
Defensively, the Azzurri will be better once an old, aging and slow F. Cannavaro retires after the World Cup. While not 100% at fault for the goals conceded from the set-pieces in both matches, a replay of Paraguay’s goal and then that of New Zealand will show Cannavaro was somewhat at fault in both matches.
Summary of the match:
Italy thought they were too talented to even be given a challenge and were found wanting.
New Zealand didn’t create too many opportunities, and were fortunate not to be called offside on their single goal of the match.
Italy resorted to the usual Italian style of diving all over the place and acting like pansies in order to be awarded free kicks in dangerous positions. This is also how they were awarded a penalty.
New Zealand, with very limited options, managed to hold on for a draw and play some limited amount of good football. However, they also showed promise in a small number of scoring opportunities – with the lacklustre Italian side never feeling too sure about themselves when the Kiwis managed to make in-roads towards the Italian keeper.
Overall, the Italians were reduced to drawing the opposition into committing fouls – albeit prancing around like the typical footballing fairies that they really are in order to get the ref’s attention. A great example of this was trying to get Rory Fallon a second yellow card for the entire time Fallon was still on the pitch.
New Zealand do not have a great short game at the moment, yet they still held the Cup holders (who have an exceptional all-round game) to a draw and still had a few chances to boot. In the end, the Italians had no excuse whatsoever to not win this with goals to spare.
Portugal can also be called as a team of flops as some of their players have the tendency to drop at the slightest contact. Even if he’s an excellent player, Cristiano Ronaldo can often act his way into receiving calls and he’s done it before.
As for Italy’s performance, I must say it was mostly about meaningless ball possession as all the shots on target were from distance except for Di Natale’s striker. Overall, the Kiwis deserved a point for their effort. Just remember team effort can often overcome a couple of stars and the best example is the Italian squad of World Cup 2006. By the way, this Italian team has no stars after Buffon’s injury.
NZ might well have scored a goal from a questionable position , but Italy’s free kick was from a questionable penalty. The reality is the World Champions were held to account by relative minnows, and despite all thier beast efforts and skill they coundn’t make it past Paston more than once. They should be ashamed of themselves, and New Zealand can justifiably hold thier heads high on the world stage and say “Were Here”
New Zealand has only 25 professional players, and 4 of them play in an amatuer league. Italy has over 3000 professional players and they still coundnt do it.
It’s just proof that David really did slay Goliath, and Kiwi’s love the underdog tilte, it makes them work harder.
gilardino did literally nothing in that first half, when di natale came on he was lively and i wasnt too sure pazzini knew where he was supposed to be playing when he entered the pitch. I think Italy should just stick with Iaquinta as the big man alongside Di Natale up front, although I’m wondering if a return for Pirlo in the last game will spark something
New Zealand defended very well, obviously they got their luck that any side gets, but the goalkeeper looked a lot better and they just frustrated the Italians
Rob,
I agree with you 100% on Gilardino. The problem is if he doesn’t score or get the ball inside the box he doesn’t do anything. In 2 games in WC2010, he’s done nothing! Iaquinta at least puts the effort and runs around. Di Natale should start next match if the Italians want to win.
Pirlo’s return will not solve the Azzurri’s problems-
a) Cannavaro susceptible for both goals conceded by Italy in the 2 matches. In Germany 2006, he would not have let either ball passed him or over him or by him
b) Lippi should have brought Totti (even for 30 min a match) or Cassano (Lippi doesn’t like him) or Balotelli (Ok, he has attitude problems but if you’re a good Coach you try to restrict all that) or Miccoli (Lippi doesn’t like him and he got injured). Or perhaps Lippi should have kept G. Rossi and cut either Pazzini or Quagi
c) Italy basically conceded 2 goals from 2 shots on target by opponents from 2 set-pieces. The Kiwis had no other shot on target while Buffon did nothing but pick the ball from the net before being subbed due to injury. Marchetti was not seen in the second-half.
A couple of changes out to be made: Bench Gilardino, Marchisio and Criscito. Start Di Natale, Pirlo and Maggio. Zambrotta will shift to the left and Maggio will start on the right. Azzurri need to score goals and cannot afford to sit back or even have meaningless ball possession. They need to create chances against Slovakia besides long-range shooting of Montolivo and De Rossi.
I can’t actually remember Gilardino touching the ball in the half he played against New Zealand. I agree, Iaquinta and Di Natale in the next game just because of the amount of effort they put in. Pazzini was quite poor as well, although he really benefited at Samp from having Cassano, i’d love to see Cassano in the side, but he is a difficult character. Lippi is being too stubborn, we all know Cannavaro should not be in the side and to see him so fraile in defence is such a shame considering he is arguably the best defender of this generation.
I’d like to see Prandelli ring in the changes, its a shame that this WC has been called a write off for Italy before it even begun, but the team isn’t focused and nobody knows their role. But I believe Italy have the players to win Euro 2012 if there is a minor face lift by Prandelli.
Hi Rob,
Prandelli will be introducing changes because he will have no choice since Zambrotta and Cannavaro will be gone along with Gattuso, Camoranesi and a few others. Prandelli is a capable coach.
Italy could have still won both games but the team has been slow, forced to fight from a 1-0 deficit in both games and deal with the absence of the strikers, particularly Gilardino.
If the Azzurri beat Slovakia and by chance end up on top of the group (Kiwis hold Paraguay to a draw) then Italy can kick-start a new campaign as the knockout stages will be a game by game basis. The key is to beat Slovakia but I am not very optimistic. I hope the right players start using a suitable formation and the Azzurri can play smart, attacking and efficient football.
The name is Ryan Nelsen, not Nielsen.
yeah, about the diving: The New Zealand Netball team is tougher than some of the italians that were playing out there. They need to toughen the fk up. They are the world champions for crying out loud.