Having once again fallen behind, Italy could only equalize from the spot, but were unable to break down a New Zealand side entrenched in their own half for the majority of the game.
Italy face an uphill struggle to qualify for the second round of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with New Zealand.
Even allowing for Italy’s unfailing ability to carve out difficulties for themselves at major tournaments, the ultimately timid 1-1 draw with New Zealand was simply shocking. Italy had met New Zealand before last summer’s Confederations Cup in an eventful friendly that ended 4-3. However, the 1-1 draw today will rank as the biggest achievement in New Zealand’s football history.
Marcello Lippi fielded a 4-4-2 with Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta up front. Yet, despite such a capable pairing, it was New Zealand who took the lead from a free-kick in the 7th minute. A high Leo Berton free-kick ricocheted off of Fabio Cannavaro’s thigh for a gleeful Shane Smeltz to slot home. Smeltz appeared offside, but it was impossible to assess definitively whether or not the ball had touched a New Zealand player before it reached Smeltz.
Italy were stung into action and, like against Paraguay, pressed vigorously. However, it was a soft penalty in the 29th minute that allowed them back in the game. Tommy Smith pulled a surging Daniele De Rossi, and the referee pointed to the spot. Replays suggested a very slight pull, but De Rossi’s embellished fall suggested otherwise to the referee. Iaquinta coolly converted the penalty by placing the ball low and to the left of goalkeeper Peston.
Zambrotta and Riccardo Montolivio both came close to giving Italy the lead in the first half with the latter hitting the post from a long-range effort. Yet, Italy were unable to play through the more central channels, as time after time an obstinate New Zealand defence thwarted the likes of Gilardino and Iaquinta.
Lippi made twos substitutions at half-time by replacing Simone Pepe and Gilardino with Mauro Camaronesi and Antonio Di Natale respectively. The change seemed to give Italy more width since Di Natale is a crafty striker who uses his pace to draw defences wide. However, even the pace of Camaronesi and Di Natale proved inadequate against an outmatched, but not outfought, New Zealand side.
Italy defender Domenico Criscito had the most insightful comment after the game when he observed that Italy should have played the “ball more to the feet” rather than attempting to cross it against the tall and imposing New Zealand defence.
Italy play Slovakia next knowing that anything less than a win could mean an ignominious exit. The post-match conference, in which Lippi’s irritability betrayed a rare nervousness, was a telling one. Despite gesturing towards some limitations in the team’s approach, Lippi continued to lament bad luck as the cause of Italy’s shortcomings. If he continues to indict the intangibles, then Italy could be musing on their luck at home very soon.
