CHRIS PLAYS AGAINST ITALY

11/06/2009

Former WYNRS Academy gun Chris Wood came on as a sub for the All Whites in a spectacular game against the reigning World Champions. New Zealand may have lost 3-4 Italy in a Pretoria but sent a clear message to their FIFA Confederations Cup rivals that they are not there to make up the numbers when the tournament starts in four days time.
In a rain soaked Super Stadium, the All Whites lead three times against a star-studded Azzurri and were in front as early as the tenth minute when Shane Smeltz rose to meet Leo Bertos’ inswinging free-kick with a header to stun an expectant crowd.
Chris Killen was equally clinical with his header from Bertos’s 42nd minute corner to reclaim the lead after Fiorintina striker Alberto Gilardino finished off classy play from Giuseppe Rossi and Fabio Quagarella with an unmarked back-post header.
Gilardino was again on the spot to equalise with a header from the cross of Liverpool fullback Andrea Dossana as Italy looked to restore normal service just three minutes after rhe break.
But normal service was an All Whites side matching the Azzuri almost pass for pass and exceeding them in passion, and it wasn’t long before the All Whites – albeit in their alternate all black strip – were back in front. Nipping between goalkeeper and defender, Killen was brought down by the glove of Marco Amelia and made no mistake from the penalty spot. New Zealand 3, Italy 2 with 34 minutes left to play.

Marcello Lippi rang the changes bringing on Andera Pirlo, Luca Toni, and Mauro Camoranesi among six changes to avoid what would have been an embarrassing defeat, but it was another substitute, Vincenzo Iaquinta scored twice in four minutes to give the Italians their first lead of the match.
With a Confederations Cup opener against European Champions Spain on June 15 (NZT) the All Whites will head into that match and the tournament with invigorated confidence and will have caused their other group A opponents South Africa and Iraq to sit up and take notice.
New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert was disappointed not to come away with a historic upset but sill “proud and humbled” by the team’s showings.
“It’s the best performance from I’ve seen from a New Zealand team and I think it makes a real statement leading into the Confederations Cup.”
We’ve gone out there and not only scored three goals but played good football against the World Champions. It’s was a fantastic performance and it could’ve easily have been even better.

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