To those saying how NZ don't support us (Australia) I'll point out it's only temporarily we aren't supporting you due to the Grella's (barbarian) and Neill's in your squad. I for one have supported you for many years, bar this WC. What Aussie has done to help NZ football (think Phoenix) isn't lost on me and certainly isn't on other fans.

And I'm not convinced the ball touched Reid's head on it's way over to Smeltz. Some said it isn't an offside even if it touched Reid, as it touched an Italian on the way over - that's a major misinterpretation of the rules which appears to have gained a foothold with many people. But like I said, no contact anyway so irrelevant.

Here's hoping for a result against Paraguay.

Home grown coach with character and intelligence, a blend of overseas and a-league players,a 4-3-3 formation and a belief in the plan by the players and a touch of luck.
Is there something we can learn from the 'kiwi minnows' who have shown that their form against us was no fluke?
Now we have some serious trans tasman football challenge to rival thr bedisloe cup. FFA and Football New Zealand need to get their act together. Maybe in 50 years time it will rival Brazil v Argentina, a super classico. I have a dream......

well done Kiwi's!.. i thought they deserved the point..
on another note, I really dont understand why the majority of people that comment on this site always feel the need to bag the iti's for their 'constant diving'.. Ive watched football all my life and honestly believe that all the south american and asian national teams are far worse.. but its the italians that are singled out time and time again.. heck, even the spanish are bad! ps. It was a clear penalty moxstar

have you guys got the socceroos on 3 different free to air channels as we speak?

who knows what will happen now!!! so bloody exciting...

Excellent idea.

KA, please incorporate more lolcats into your posts.

In reference to the banner on the front page...BEST RESULT. EVAH? Ahh c'mon, you've done this internet speak crap for a little while now and frankly it sucks. I expect this from an internet blog like lolcats but from a respected publication? its lame.

anyways.. Good win if that was the USA team. Herbert and the boys have done NZ proud so far :)

Herbert better stop making his greatest day in NZ comments, as its sounding abit old. Serbia, Slovakia and now Italy :)

I do not see them progressing though. Paraguay really are playing very good, quick football when they need to. NZ are better at the lower tempo, like Italy are. Even in their transitions, Italy were slower, but still dominant.

A win really would have been a huge story in this and the Slovakian game, but this is a start. I think once you do well, the expectation rises and draws just are not good enough, like Australia is very aware of now. Thats the downside of success.

Fantastic result for the "cusins". This is all good for both of us as the lone nations in our area.

Well done and thanks for putting some pressure on those pricks the Italians and the euro snobs.

Instead of putting shit on each other we should back each other because our football growth will/needs to be tied together. Same reason why wellington should stay in the local league aiding both nations football growth.

Gotta love anyone who takes the Italians down a peg.

@Benoncehobbled: "Having read their football forums on the weekend and all the rubbish on them about the Aussies"

What forum are you reading mate?

I doubt that ANY Aussie football fan gives New Zealand Rubbish.

Wondered how long it would take somebody to bite ;)

And yet Italy had to cheat to beat them ?.

Also fuck you sound bitter

Edited by moxstar: 21/6/2010 11:10:20 AM

I'd love to support the Kiwis and say what a magnificent performance it was blah, blah, blah, but they were completely owned and won by pure dumb luck. I mean, c'mon, scoring their goal from their only real chance, which was pure luck - it skimmed the head of an opponent and barely missed the head of one of their own.
There is no doubt that was a penalty - sure the Italian milked it, but there was no reason for Smith to have a handful of his shirt.
Normally, I'd be all in support of our Kiwi cousins and have a bit of a soft spot for them, but I'm positive they don't feel the same way about the Aussies as we do them. Having read their football forums on the weekend and all the rubbish on them about the Aussies, I'm hoping they get smashed by Paraguay and shown up for what they really are - hopelessly out of their depth!

ONYA KIWIS ,as the saying goes - 'WHITE IS THE NEW BLACK'.

Loved this quote:

"In 1823 William Webb Ellis picked up a football and ran with it. The real worry for New Zealand rugby fans is that New Zealanders may put down a football and run with it."

From a UK kiwi journo watching the game in a London pub full of Italians.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/20/new-zealand-italy

Well done New Zealand on a magnificent result and it appears that the Anzac spirit lives on through Football.As for the Italians they are assured a job in Hollywood for sure as they are so good at acting.I cannot stand that at the slightest knock they go down like nine pins. Give me a break and harden up you precious little softies.
Very proud of the Aussies and Kiwis that they dont dive or feign injury.
Algreco

Penalty was there. But offside for NZ? Didn't lool like any contact from Reid to me, and there were no complaints from the Italians.

Bloody hell Italy milk every little contact yet are often happy to dish it out themselves, can't stand them.

Yeah De Rossi made the most of the penalty but it was a foul, as Smith was grabbing his shirt.

Also talking about level playing fields it's easy to forget that NZ's goal was offside as well

Whoo hoo go the Kiwis!!!

Hmnn, another "soft" penalty. Just think where NZ and Oz would be if the playing surface in SA were a bit more level. Doesn't FIFA want us there? Or are the refs just pshychologically writing us off before kickoff?

Anyway, brilliant work my Sir Ricki Herbert (gotta happen now) and *sniff! say goodbye to Shane Smeltz's A-league career...


What do you think about the FourFourTwo article Herbert Hails Greatest Day for All Whites?
NEW Zealand coach Ricki Herbert celebrated one of the greatest results in his country's sporting history after holding world champions Italy to a draw tonight.

Have your say.