Yesterday marks the fourteenth anniversary of the All Whites ’ stunning 1-1 draw with Italy at the 2010 World Cup. It was a standout moment amongst a month of minor miracles. Michael Burgess reveals the untold story of the incredible campaign in South Africa.
Standing in the Mbombela Stadium tunnel, Shane Smeltz wasn’t sure where to look. As he lined up with the All Whites for their second match at the 2010 World Cup, the Italians shuffled into view. There was Fabio Cannavaro, the former World Player of the Year who had lifted the trophy four years earlier.
Behind him stood Gianluca Zambrotta, who had played for Juventus, Barcelona and Milan, and Giorgio Chiellini, a veteran of two Champions League finals. It should have been intimidating but Smeltz was unperturbed by the presence of the legendary Azzurri, the four-time World Cup winners and defending champions. "We left the pitch after the first game [a 1-1 draw with Slovakia] with such a good feeling and that carried through," says Smeltz.
"It was almost a feeling like you have never stood so tall, or had your chest out so proud before. You are going out to play the reigning world champions and it was like 'let's go do this'." Around two hours later, the All Whites had secured a shock 1-1 draw and Saturday marks the tenth anniversary of the result considered the best in New Zealand football history.
The Italy match was the high point of a heady World Cup campaign in South Africa which saw the All Whites finish as the to.
