New Zealand vs. Italy in a warm up match for the confederations cup. What a huge mismatch – the World Champion and 4th ranked Italians vs. The Oceania champion (fending off New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu for the title) and 82nd ranked Kiwis. And what a great effort by the kiwis who thrice took the lead, thanks to great headers by Smeltz and Killen (Killen’s thundering into the net) and a Killen penalty. At 3-2 down Italy brought on the big guns (Luca Toni etc) and a Vincenzo Iaquinta double ended what the Kiwis dream (full story at http://tinyurl.com/lzjznv). Given the kiwis last 3 matches were losses to Fiji and Tanzania and a nil all draw with Botswana, all teams whose world cup dreams have already ended, this was a really good effort.
This was about the best team the New Zealanders could field, really only minus their captain and best player Ryan Nelson. Smeltz and Killen upfront were dynamite, and about the best striking combination the All Whites have been able to field for some time. It may have been a 2nd string Italy side, but NZ can take a lot of positives away, especially that it required the introduction of Italy’s top line players to finally put them down. This is the equivalent to a 2nd string All Blacks side beating their Italian counter parts 34-27 thanks to a late Muliana double, almost unthinkable.
As well as the forwards played, putting 3 past the world champs and forcing over 10 corners, the NZ was pretty average, and looked tired late in the game, the equaliser and winner being scored pretty weakly and with an air of inevitability.
Game one for the Kiwis at the Confederations Cup will be even tougher, as they take on Spain. The Euro champions and world number 1 side boast a galaxy of stars and will be looking to impress in their first game in a major tournament since winning Euro. Another great effort up front, and plugging some of the holes at the back is needed from NZ to keep this game close. It would be a monumental effort if the All Whites could knock of the world champs, and not very realistic, but another great effort upfront and an improved effort on D could see this game be a great springboard for NZ to launch into its 2nd game vs. South Africa, and then what will likely be the All Whites most important game of the tournament against Iraq.
The game vs. Iraq will most likely be NZs last game of the tournament and they should treat it as a final. With the just the 5th placed Asian side standing in the way of the All Whites and their 2nd ever world cup finals, this will be a chance to get a taste of the style of play by an Asian side. Iraq are ranked number 77 in the world, and the most likely teams NZ will have to play off with are all ranked higher (Iran 52nd, Saudi Arabia 56th and Bahrain 70th) so this will be an excellent opportunity to get an idea of where the NZers are at in their preparations to the qualifiers in October/November.
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