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Shane Smeltz - Source: Photosport -
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The narrow 4-3 loss to World Champions Italy
on Thursday was certainly a shock result.
tvnz.co.nz looks at some of the lessons learned...
Chris and Shane: A killer combination
There was some interest in how Chris Killen and Shane Smeltz would
fare on the pitch together and the early evidence is promising. The
duo scored three goals between them against the notoriously stingy
Italians and seemed to strike up a good understanding.
Speed wobbles on defence
The All Whites sans Ryan Nelsen will always struggle defensively.
The team defended manfully for large periods of the game but upon
sober reflection on Friday Ricki Herbert and his coaching
staff will be disappointed with the 'soft' nature of at least three
of the Italian goals.
Experience does count
You can't beat top-level experience. Defender Ivan Vicelich has
been recently confined to the relative football backwater of the
NZFC with Auckland City but gave an assured performance at the
heart of the New Zealand defence. Vicelich spent almost a decade in
the Dutch league and still has pedigree.
Class usually prevails
Andreas Pirlo is one best midfielders in the world and Vincente
Iaquinta certainly one of the top strikers. Their introduction
turned the match as the New Zealanders couldn't counter the
quickness of pass and speed of movement.
Getting some perspective
Almost every player in the Italian squad is worth more
individually on the open market than the entire All Whites squad,
which illustrates the gulf in class. Sure the New Zealanders were
perhaps taking the game more seriously than the Europeans but there
are a lot of positives to take away for Ricki Herbert and his
men.
What happened to Catenaccio?
Italian teams are famous for their cagey defending and are
notoriously difficult to score against. But the Italy seemed to
represent the Shaky Island on Thursday, conceding three and it
could have been more.
It is a team in transition and the best goalkeeper in the world was
being rested. His replacement had the sort of performance not seen
since David "Calamity" James and his Anfield nightmares in the late
90's.
Future implications
The All Whites will no longer be able to fly under the
radar at this Confederations Cup and Spain, South Africa and Iraq
will be well aware of the threat they pose, especially from set
pieces. No one knows how seriously the Italians took the game but
for New Zealand there are only positive aspects to take away.
Top level sport is all about building confidence and combinations
and with every assured performance Ricki Herbert's outfit can take
more of both into the all-important world cup qualifiers come
October and November.
So what will happen in the Cup?
Not much has changed here . The Spanish are said to be
privately targeting a 4-0 victory on Monday and given the attacking
riches at their disposal and fluid style of play it is certainly
more than possible. The All Whites will set their own goals based
on credibility, respect and improving their performance from the
one against Italy.
Kiwi optimists will hope for a point against South Africa and then
it is all up for grabs in the last group game against Iraq, who
seem to be undoubtedly the minnows of the tournament.
ONE Sport and tvnz.co.nz bring you coverage of the 2009
Confederations Cup. To find out how you can watch the All Whites
matches and the final free to air
click HERE
