The FIFA World Cup Thread #2/Sports Sunday #2 For 6/20/10: Courageous Kiwis Score Improbable Draw Against Unimaginative Italians

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA
The Final Analysis:
Well, this is why I felt a daw today for New Zealand.

Italy simply don't have the players to break down a team right now. In fact, this is quite clearly the worst Italian team on pure talent that I have ever seen, especially in the final third of the pitch.

Even when Di Natale and Pazzini came on, they could do nothing to create a clear chance on goal. It was an assortment of half-chances at best. And their only hope was to have Mark Paston or that the New Zealand backline crack for just one moment.

But they didn't at all.

In fact, it was the Kiwis who arguably had the best chance in the 2nd half, as 18 year old Chris Wood showed his potential by finding space and almost providing a goal of a lifetime for his country.

Nevertheless, New Zealand still receive a result of a lifetime with this terrific draw. But I am still surprised more people didn't see this result coming.

This Italian team isn't good enough on paper, simple as that. And it has nothing to do with them being "old", because they have enough players in their lineup who are well under 30 playing for them. Especially some of the offensive side of the field.

It will be nothing short of an captivating last day in Group F, as this section of teams become the latest foursome to have things settled in their 5th and 6th matches.

Man of the Match:

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!
Who is picking these Man of the Matches.....the fans are gladly turning this into a joke right now.

The full review of this improbable result for the small nation that is New Zealand.

Group F
Paraguay 4 pts (+2)
New Zealand 2 pts (0)
Italy 2 pts (0)
Slovakia 1 pt (-2)

And the full match archive:
The lineups:
Italy: Marchetti, Criscito, Chiellini, Cannavaro. De Rossi, Pepe, Iaquinta, Gilardino, Marchisio, Zambrotta, Montolivo

New Zealand: Paston, Lochhead, Reid, Vicelich, Nelsen, Elliot, Smeltz, Killen, Bertos, Fallon, Smith
I really do believe that the Kiwis will get a result today.

Well, well, well, New Zealand have scored more goals than England, Spain, and France combined in this tournament.

Let's just say, Italian set piece defending has been terrible, and Cannavaro once again, the captain, has been the reason, as Smeltz (offside or onside) snuck on the back post to give the Kiwis a historic lead.

From then on, it was one way traffic from Italy as expected, but there was no quality final ball passes from the holders of this competition. It was just a bevy of long shots (Montolivo's great strike off the post the only good one) and hopeless crosses from them. And they were lucky that Tommy Smith was stupid to shirt tug in the box.

Still, it feels like Italy will get the 2nd, but the pressure will mount on Italy if they can't pull ahead early.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Andrew Jones' Media Portfolio

The Daily Open Thread For 12/23/09: Spreading Holiday Cheer

TWD Friday Fun Thread For 9/14/12: Feet The Press