Azzurri agony

NELSPRUIT, South Africa (AP):

Defending champions Italy were held to another 1-1 draw yesterday, this time by New Zealand, in the latest World Cup surprise.

The 78th-ranked All Whites took the lead in the seventh minute when the ball glanced off 36-year-old Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, gifting a goal to Shane Smeltz. A long free kick from Simon Elliott sailed deep into Italy's area, deflected off Cannavaro's hip and went directly toward the waiting Smeltz for the tap in.

Riccardo Montolivo hit the post for Italy in the 27th, and Vincenzo Iaquinta equalised two minutes later with a penalty, after Tommy Smith was shown a yellow card for tugging down Daniele De Rossi inside the area.

"Once again the opponent scored on their first chance," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "We were able to control the game after that, but this was a match we should have won."

Iaquinta appeared to celebrate as if he were blowing a vuvuzela, the plastic trumpets that have become a symbol of the World Cup.

At the final whistle, however, the celebration was located in one corner of the Mbombela Stadium, where a small section of New Zealand fans marked their country's historic result by taking their shirts off and waving them around deliriously.

Extended celebration

Long after the game ended, New Zealand fans remained inside the stadium, moving down to the lower level to continue celebrating as the All White reserves played a training match.

Playing in only their second World Cup, and having lost all three of their matches in 1982, New Zealand gained a point for the second consecutive game after also drawing 1-1 with Slovakia in their opener.

New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston was virtually flawless, preserving the draw with a leaping save on a long, powerful effort from Montolivo in the 70th.

Italy controlled virtually throughout, but New Zealand nearly won when substitute Chris Wood sent an angled shot just wide in the 83rd.

Group F

Paraguay leads Group F with four points, followed by Italy and New Zealand with two points each. Slovakia is last with one point.

Italy will meet Slovakia in their final group match on Thursday while New Zealand face Paraguay.

Italy were also held to a 1-1 draw by Paraguay in their opener, but the Azzurri looked sharper than they did against the South Americans, yet couldn't beat the physical and tall New Zealand players in the air and again had a tough time weaving their way through to the goal.

"Again we were very unfortunate," Lippi said. "It's not like we didn't do great things, although you always need to do more."

Italy hasn't won since beating Sweden 1-0 in a friendly in November, a streak of five games that includes four draws and a 2-1 loss to Mexico in a World Cup warm-up.