New Zealand players celebrate after New Zealand’s Shane Smeltz, partially visible at second from left, scored a goal, during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Italy and New Zealand at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa, Sunday, June 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
This column was going to be exclusively about the Socceroos’ gutsy performance against Ghana, but it would be remiss of me to ignore an even more impressive performance by the New Zealand All Whites to hold out defending champions Italy in the upset of the tournament.
In a tournament of upsets, this took the cake due to the sheer gulf in experience and supposed tactical superiority between the Italians and a New Zealand side made up by a core group of players and coaching staff from the A-League’s Wellington Phoenix, their domestic league and players in the lower divisions in England.
The grit and determination to grind out unexpected results against adversity (All Whites against the defending champs, Socceroos with a man down) saw both antipodean teams show that fighting spirit that both countries like to demonstrate in their sporting performances.
It was incredible to see the Kiwi fans in the stands rejoicing as their All Whites confidently held out the desperate Italian attacks, with the Kiwis replicating the Phoenix’s tradition of “shirts off with 10 to go” and exposing the world to some Kiwi skin!
It felt more like a Phoenix home game at Westpac Stadium than a crucial World Cup group match in front of a global audience who probably couldn’t point New Zealand on a map.
Like the Socceroos four years ago, the All Whites are riding a wave of emotion and self-belief. Qualifying was the ultimate goal, giving them both the confidence of going to the tournament with nothing to lose.
“I think that has stopped our nation of four million people,” coach Ricki Herbert told AAP.
“It’s an incredible result and it’s way above anything we have achieved before against the stature of our competitors.
“Anything is possible and we’re doing okay for a team who some said shouldn’t be playing at this World Cup.”
After much debate about the future of the Wellington Phoenix and Oceania, the All Whites are playing for more than just national honour.
The result is a huge fillip for the A-League.
With players such as Shane Smeltz (scorer against the Italians), Mark Paston (the star against the Italians) and Jason Culina for the Socceroos performing so admirably on the biggest stage, our little league is being represented very well.
And let’s not forget about Herbert.
For the second straight match Herbert stuck to his plan of being defensively well structured and organised, led by inspirational captain Ryan Nelsen.
Herbert has instilled his team with a self-belief, compensating for their obvious limitations in terms of personnel by being very well organised at the back, yet with the confidence (and ability) to go forward and hold the ball up when needed.
But it’s only a strategy that will pay off with the right balance and confidence in the XI to do the job.
This point was proved in the contrast between the Socceroos’ performances against Germany and Ghana.
Verbeek and the Socceroos should be praised for rebounding in such a way, with the Dutchman showing faith in players such as Carl Valeri, Brett Holman, David Careny and co, and, unlike the game against Germany, allowing the team to play.
They restored pride in the shirt with their dramatic form reversal.
Compared to the Ghana match, what’s even more obvious now is the defeatist attitude that pervaded Verbeek’s tactics and the Socceroos’ performance against Germany, and will cost us the chance to match our achievements of four years ago in progressing past the group stage.
As the All Whites have shown, a bit of self-belief goes a long way.
The story of the 2010 World Cup is fast becoming how the minnows are stopping the heavyweights from playing.
Remarkably, England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France have won only one of their nine games at the time of writing.
Are the heavyweights being unduly burdened by expectations or are their players just too fatigued for the rigours of a World Cup following a seemingly endless club season? Or are the minnows, helped by the increased professionalism of their own leagues, grinding out results with their well structured defensive strategies, forcing the fatigued powerhouses to chase the games?
As we’ve seen, if they get it right, the minnows are more than capable of grinding out a result and causing a few upsets.
Incredibly, both Australia AND New Zealand are in contention for the final 16 going into the final group games.
For the Socceroos, the equation is simple: should Ghana defeat Germany and the Socceroos defeat Serbia, we go through. That’s our best bet. The goal swing needed with any other result is simply too great for a team with the striker shortfall that the Socceroos have.
The Germany match will ultimately cost the Socceroos – as it should, hopefully remembered as a reminder of how the Socceroos must never approach a game again.
With this in mind, some may view the tournament as failure due to their inability to match their Round of 16 appearances in 2006.
But at least an enormous amount of pride and faith has been restored in the Socceroos, overcoming the damage done by the Germany game.
For the All Whites, a result against Paraguay and another stalemate for Italy would see New Zealand into the final 16.
Who would have thought it?
But it doesn’t matter what happens in their final group game.
The All Whites have won their World Cup.
Re-live the All Whites vs Italy clash as it happened with Tony Tannous’ analysis HERE
AA
Guest
Very true Phutbol, a Campbell Watts wouldn't get that though. NZ was anti-football during the World Cup, and still are to this time.
AA
Guest
4 months on from when this way originally posted...and nope, you're still a dill, along with most of the other Kiwi comments on here.i
Michael
Guest
Please see ratings which come out the last two days by the Guardian paper on the best players:See how many mentions (high ratings)NZ players get, end of story: The 10 best player performances at the World Cup Match Team Player Rating Denmark v Japan 2010-06-24 19:30 Japan Keisuke Honda 9.08 South Africa v Uruguay 2010-06-16 19:30 Uruguay Diego Forlan 8.96 Italy v New Zealand 2010-06-20 15:00 New Zealand Ryan Nelsen 8.95 Germany v Australia 2010-06-13 19:30 Germany Mesut Ozil 8.83 Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 New Zealand Ryan Nelsen 8.8 Argentina v Nigeria 2010-06-12 15:00 Nigeria Vincent Enyeama 8.72 Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 New Zealand Mark Paston 8.67 Argentina v Mexico 2010-06-27 19:30 Argentina Carlos Tevez 8.62 Spain v Portugal 2010-06-29 19:30 Spain David Villa 8.57 Italy v New Zealand 2010-06-20 15:00 New Zealand Mark Paston 8.55 Germany v Australia 2010-06-13 19:30 Germany Thomas Muller 8.54
George
Guest
Apaway, "It’s not like Italy haven’t won games exactly the same way in the past." I agree but the major difference bieng WON. I would have no problem if NZ were using delay tactics at 2-1 up. My problem (well grievance) is they went into a game content with a draw, and will be content with another draw against Paraguay and a 3rd place finish. This is what is frustrating. With 15 minutes left and at 1-1 with the World champions, why wouldnt you go all out to get a goal, if you concede, well you took the World champs all the way, and at the end of the day they will most likely still finsih 3rd. My poiint regarding having top 32 ranked teams, is not Euro Snobs, but none of those teams would be happy to play for a draw in any game. Especially when they need a win to Qualify. Nothing about the play but more the mentality / open football we would see.
George
Guest
"It is amazing as they did it without cheating" -> dude there Goal should have been disallowed for offside. The Italy Goal was a penalty. Read the laws of the game...
Phutbol
Guest
If that is the yardstick for who wins then only Brazil, Argentina, and Germany should have won games at this WC so far. that would be fun....
Phutbol
Guest
Maybe like tennis, cricket and NFL the managers could be given 1 or 2 'challenges' per game to be used at their discretion. if the video conclusively prooves the Ref got it wrong, the challenge stands and the manager still has it at his disposal. If it doesnt, or if its inconclusive (which i think would happen a great deal), then the challenge is lost and cant be used again. Maybe then some of the worst decisions (the 'game changers') could be corrected without slowing the game enourmously. The problem (as discussed ad nauseum) is that so often, the replay is inconclusive or can be argued either way.
st penguin
Guest
A few people keep bringing up the number of shots on goal, but it's worth realising that the vast majority Ghana's shots were speculative from outside the box.
katzilla
Roar Guru
Wow your taking it to a totally different level there zzzz. BTW I found this video of the Italians training - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRO626ImQek Definately worth a look.
Bob
Guest
Well done to the AW's but beat it Sam! If you don't know a compliment when it slaps you in the face, you never will
Art Sapphire
Guest
You almost had me blushing there DavidF :)
Winston
Guest
try reading without actually speaking. its a handy skill to have
b8hoven
Guest
Both NZ and Aus both did well to get draws in their matches. Italy are traditionally a football powerhouse, and NZ did well to hold them at 1-1, and that's that. Shots on goal and all other stats aside. It's the end result that matters. Australia were lucky that Ghana didn't win 5-1, with the amount of attempts on goal, but Schwarzer kept well and the defence basically held up, Kewell's red card was unfair, but Australia has had no luck with referees this tournament (2006 was almost as bad). It all comes down to karma in the end, Kewell scored a goal from an offside position against Croatia last WC. This time he gives up a penalty. I am glad the All-Whites got a draw and I'm supporting them almost as much as Aus. Well done to both teams, and let's hope we can both get a win in our next games and go through to the 16!
zzzz
Guest
The Irish situation is a classic illustration of the absurdity of officials rolling with the perceived status quo and a compelling argument for video refs. Its the 21st century ffs, how can FIFA or BP or the catholic church or any other major organisation expect to thrive without meeting the accepted standards of accountability?? Dishonesty and deceit by their officials will sooner or later come back to bite them on the derriere.
Apelu Tielu
Guest
I suspect the Mafia is running soccer, why FIFA appears reluctant to do something about all that ugly stuff from players and referees that really ruins the game.
DavidF
Guest
This is awesome Art! Thank you for sharing it with me! :) Sorry - the link to zonal marking i mean...
Campbell Watts
Guest
You can say it all you like AA - but the result still stands :-)
Campbell Watts
Guest
So the WC winner gets decided on the FOOTBALL played does it AA? Talk around it all you like but the fact stands the AW's just drew with the reigning world champs! Big respect boys! Well done!
MVDave
Guest
Great result for the Kiwis...even better one for the A League! Smeltz scored one and set one up in 2 games...fantastic, Paston in Goal...brilliant. Players who train and play in Australasia can play and compete against the best...wonder if Pim was watching? Less said about the Italians the better...although similar sentiments for England and France (ohh how the Irish must be feeling watching the rabble formerly known as the French National Football team).
dasilva
Guest
The thing is in the last match. We have New Zealand playing Paraguay and Italy playing Slovakia at different stadiums at the same time So after the match are we going to fly Italy and New Zealand to another stadium for 5-10 minutes for a penalty shootout. I'm quite sure there will be problem with logistics In any case, what happen to FIFA idea of using disciplinary record as part of the tie breaker. If the team has less red card or less yellow card they go through. I thought they used that in the previous world cup