MATCH: Italy Vs New Zealand

TIME :3 PM

DATE: 20th June

VENUE: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

HISTORY: Italy and New Zealand have met just once in the past. This meeting was a prelude to the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa, when Italy narrowly avoided a defeat to New Zealand in a high-scoring 4-3 win.

The Kiwis produced one of the moments of the 2010 World Cup on Tuesday when they pulled back a 90th minute goal to draw with Slovakia. However, they'll be up against a different beast altogether when they take on the World Champions on Saturday.

Italy's form ahead of its clash with New Zealand has been poor. The Azzuri have scored three draws, a win and a loss from their last five matches, and didn't look particularly impressive in their draw against Paraguay in their opening World Cup fixture.

Italy is sorely missing a quality striker, and four goals from five matches just isn't good enough for this team. The defence remains solid enough, conceding four goals during the same period.

New Zealand have three losses, a win and a draw from its last five matches. Not much was expected of this team at the World Cup, and they made more than a few people sit up and take notice when they drew with Slovakia in the first round of group stage matches.

New Zealand's strikers have put away four goals in the last five matches, while defence has let in eight goals during the same period.

New Zealand just came to fly their country's flag on this W.C and not to perform. well i'll say this is their best ever W.C appearance after getting their 1st point in W.C history. they should just be proud to parade thier flag and jersey colours b'cos even if their coaching crew and other football officials are allowed to play for them along with the 11players on parade, they'll still loose so they should just forget about anything victory when they play italy toady!

But they met last year and Italy came back from behind thrice before they could seal a 4-3 victory. Anyways, i doubt NZ will get anything out of this match

^^Even if they came from behind to equalise 4 goals down, all i know is that italy is gonna be the winner of D day!

even with a man less,Italy will still triumph

Italy to win this one.

game's on the way. Italy playina a 4 3 3 formation. NZ playing 4 5 1. I think they here to defend

Goal!!! New Zealand in front. Shane Smeltz, the goal scorer

Another big time surprise for Italy.

ayo84:

new zeALand in the lead, whats wrong with the azurris of italia

The same thing that has been wrong with all the pre-tournament favorites!

At the end of 90munite we go know what's up!

Italy are showing the character of a defending Champion and it is a matter of time before they equalise

GOAL!!! 1-1. Vincenzo Iaquinta from the spot

Italy -1 New Zealand -1

interesting.

1-1 at half time. Are we set for a surprise?

d penalty was wrongly awarded,

@ valacious i thought so to about the penalty until i saw the replay. The NZ defender pulled an Italian players shirt in the box

the oceanic compensate for lack of talent with heart.

the 78 th ranked team in the world holding on against italy.

oh shiit. see outside shot by italy

Great save by NZ goalie

is ryan nelson a football or rugby player.

This would be a shock

new zealand wan score o

What is the average age of the Italian team? This is a team that like Nigeria do not have strikers that can score.

NZ so close to getting a second goal

@medjai, yes i saw the pull, but its one of those normal hangling that players do within the '18' box. and the guy just added some drama to it, fell way too easily, all good, at least the game ended in a draw.

hahaha i just saw the mali coach who disallowed the usa goal. i think he is a linesman in this match go ahead with yo bad sef mr mali coach

italy sucks goat nuts 
france sucks goat nuts
england sucks goat nuts
spain sucks goat nuts
germany sucks goat nuts (how the hell does serbia whoop yo butt )

the teams that rock. brazil, paraguay, mexico, uruguay, wow all south american

buzugee:

italy sucks goat nuts 
france sucks goat nuts
england sucks goat nuts
spain sucks goat nuts
germany sucks goat nuts (how the hell does serbia whoop yo butt )

the teams that rock. brazil, paraguay, mexico, uruguay, wow all south american

it insanity to claim germany sucks considering how good they were with 10 men. spain was just unlucky to find the net. those two would be fine.

stop with the hyperbole. go oceania

4 minutes of extra time for what; they want to arrange Italy inside o.