With Paraguay winning Sunday's early match, the Group F game between New Zealand and Italy (10am, ESPN) has become that much more critical in terms of keeping pace with the South Americans in the hopes of reaching the Round of 16.
Italy is the heavy favorite in the match, but stalwart goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is out injured, leaving the reigning World Cup champions with inexperienced Federico Marchetti in goal.
Lightweight New Zealand is coming off a surprise draw, and will need a second consecutive match of disciplined defending and opportunistic offense to give it the best shot of getting a result.
If you'll be watching the match, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match.
4 minutes? Only in the WC can you dive to get free kicks, then get extra time added on because you dove.
Is it true that Jeremy Christie of New Zealand plays in the USL for the Tampa Bay Rowdies?
C’mon Kiwis!!
Potty. A word that needs more use. (Just not from John Harkes.)
I want this player on my team: http://bit.ly/dsqMgE
Bustos determined not to get conned by Ryan Nelson – but believes all Italians. Sheesh.
What is your problem?
What’s wrong with this one?
http://bit.ly/dsqMgE
Italy is going to win World Cup again! They cheated their way to world cup 2006 and they are at it again this world cup by cheating again. What a bunch of thug anti-fair play futbol players! How much is Italy payin Fifa bcuz they stink! Go New Zealand!
He just yellow the NZ player??
Agreed! Possibly an exception could be made for subtle and cute flags on one cheek.
Wow. Cannavaro getting beaten again. So close from NZ.
That was so close.
Perhaps they won’t…and they WILL… 😉
Intersting fact from ESPN’s gamecast:
ESPN Stats & Info: Italy have conceded two goals from the only two shots on target against them at this World Cup.
Come on Kiwis, get a shot on goal and make 3 for 3!!
Wood!!! Omg so close
C’mon Wood!!
Well said — take that to the top!
Who’s willing to bet that Lippi is now wishing he had Rossi’s speed and fierceness to unleash against the rugged Kiwis?
Ok time for my newest complaint against FIFA. There really needs to be a new statute put forward to prevent hot girls in the stands from wearing face and body paint. This world cup has really been lessened by all the video of hot chicks in the stands being covered up by nasty looking face paint. ESPN must have some pull for this?!
The new rule – ugly drunk boys can wear face paint. Hot chicks – team colors welcomed, but no more carny paint.
It seems like its just a matter of time before Italy dives for a direct free kick and bangs it in…It’s almost inevitable
Italy deserves this result but more the loss. I hate this fake champion. If it takes New Zealand to get back at Italy for Australia’s short comings then so be it. This is justice.
This referee is a complete embarrassment to CONCACAF.
Pedophiles. The chick was 17. I’d love to see you walk around here in West New York and get approached by our 17 year olds you self righteous prick.
I am so rooting for NZ.
How the hell is that not a foul against Italy!?!?!?
Oh, and I’m Irish, and I STILL like the idea of Les Bleus…just not this illegitimate incarnation.
Could not agree more
Beauty save…strong 1 hander
I feel like I’m watching a fishing show with all the Italian diving and sure hope the kiwis can find a way to beat them.
What an incredible strike, I really wanted that to go in.
I’m half Italian and always enjoyed the, how shall I put it…the theatricality of Italian football. But this is pathetic and embarrassing. Simply pathetic display. If you can’t beat New Zeland by playing football…go home.
Man I wanted that to go in…
Surely C Ronaldo must have grown up watching Italian football
Did an Italian player punch the ball out of the air? I swear that I just saw that happen.
WELL DONE DARKE AND MCCOIST
“Deeply Pathetic and Embarrassing”… F the Italians and there lame theatrics
I heard that. Funny! Italian players gets hit in the left side of his face but holds his right.
This italian team is in the wrong competition. They belong in the platform diving event at the summer olympics…
Ian Darke just called Italy pathetic.
Ally McCoist just called Italy embarrassing.
Bertos from NZ seems like a decent player
The head official is cheating for Italy.
If the linesman who is two yards away doesn’t call it, yet the official calls it from across the pitch, what does that tell you?
Which basically means he is embarrased by himself
The French are soooo going home on Wednesday.
As a quiet fan of Les Bleus, I am amazed at just how dysfunctional the French have become. They are all drama queens this cycle. The most direct cause is the impotent leadership of Domenech, but the pedophiles Ribery and Co. did nothing to help team chemistry. And now they’re caught up in the idea that it’s better to blame their poor field performance on off-the-field issues than their incompetence.
This what makes me impressed with Bradley even more. Did you SEE the celebration after MB’s goal? The whole team went ape s#!t for him, and it was one of the most moving celebrations at the Cup. That camaraderie is fostered and even prioritized by Bradley, which is why I’m sure it killed him to leave CD9 off the squad.
And now back to your regularly scheduled programming…
Italy looking like “Turner Classic Movies” with the entrance of aging, but classic, actress Camoranesi…
Feel another Italian dive coming in 5, 4, 3…
So funny/sad that the FFF head resigned because he was embarrassed by the team, yet he was responsibly for hiring Domenech.
Um…. the french? Say what?
Don’t any of you understand? The rules are different for traditional powers like Italy. How else do you explain the two red cards vs. USA in 2006? FIFA knows where their bread is buttered.
I don’t think I’d like to get in a scrum with any Kiwis, especially with that whole rugby love and what not