Group F – Italy vs New Zealand preview

Posted on | June 18, 2010 | No Comments

Game:- Italy vs New Zealand
Competition :- 2010 FIFA World Cup
Venue :- Mbomela Stadium, Nelspruit
Date :- Sunday, 20th June 2010
KO time:- 16.00 South African time

Defending their World Cup crown was always going to be a Herculean task and Lippi’s men got a taste of how difficult the road to glory would be when they had to battle hard to salvage a point againt Paraguay. The odds at Bodog favour Italy to get past New Zealand pretty comfortably. But will it be as easy as predicted?

Italy – last few games – most recent game on top
v.Paraguay – Draw 1-1 (de Rossi)
v.Switzerland – Draw 1-1 (Quagliarella)
v.Mexico – Loss – 1-2 (Bonucci)
v.Cameroon – Draw 0-0
v.Sweden – Win 1-0 (Chiellini)

Italy have not won in four games and were lucky to escape with a point against Paraguay, thanks to a goalkeeping error. They missed the experience of Andrea Pirlo in the centre of the park. With Pirlo absent for this game as well, the onus will be in de Rossi, Montolivo and Marchisio to take up the gauntlet and drive Italy forward. Iaquinta and Gilardino were disappointing as Italy felt the pinch of not having a world-class striker in their ranks. Fabio Quagliarella could get a look in from the start.

Gigi Buffon’s world cup is in limbo after he was forced to go off against Paraguay due to the recurrence of a back injury. Federico Marchetti will deputise in his place.

New Zealand – last few games – most recent game on top
v.Slovakia – Draw 1-1(Reid)
v.Slovenia – Loss 1-3 (Fallon)
v.Serbia – Win 1-0 (Smeltz)
v.Australia – Loss 1-2 (Killen)
v.Mexico – Loss 0-2

The All-Whites were expected not to score a single goal in the tourney. But with a positive result against Slovakia, confidence is high in the camp. No one expects them to do anything against the world champions. And they should be able to play with carefree zest. A good performance by the likes of Killen, Fallon or Wood would attract attention from a host of clubs.

Verdict: Italy 2-0 New Zealand (Gilardino, Pepe)

Related posts:

1. Group F – Slovakia vs Italy preview
2. Group F – Paraguay vs New Zealand preview
3. Group F – Italy vs Paraguay preview
4. Group F – New Zealand vs Slovakia preview
5. Group F – Slovakia vs Paraguay preview

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