And I thought Kiwis were just fruits.
What a triumphant result today in the Italy-New Zealand game! To be sure, there were some questions about the Kiwis' first goal -- if it did, in fact, flick off Winston Reid's head, then Shane Smeltz should probably have been ruled offside. (From my perspective the replays were inconclusive). But Italy's goal, in any case, was even more suspect. Midfielder Daniele De Rossi looks like a burly, battle-hardened centurion, but wilts on contact like a precious orchid. This bearded Daniel Craig wannabe felt a slight tug on his jersey in the first half and collapsed in a hysterical frenzy in front of the New Zealand goal: penalty kick, Italy. An over-earnest referee decision that would, if consistently given, require six or seven penalty kicks for each side per game.
So even as a non-fan of defensive soccer, it was immensely satisfying for me to watch the Kiwis battle back the Italian onslaught in the second half. After the penalty kick, Italy's circus of diving and writhing earned nothing except the universal scorn of broadcasters, half-time analysts, and neutral observers worldwide. Even Mussolini would be disgraced, not only by their lack of offensive creativity and finishing skill, but the continuous barrage of fake injuries and psuedo-pains. It was a just result, and while Italy can still manage to qualify with a win over Slovakia next week, this will cost them a favorable draw: they're looking at the Netherlands in round one (the only other losers from today's action) and then Brazil, possibly, in round two. So something good is happening in South Africa, after all.
So even as a non-fan of defensive soccer, it was immensely satisfying for me to watch the Kiwis battle back the Italian onslaught in the second half. After the penalty kick, Italy's circus of diving and writhing earned nothing except the universal scorn of broadcasters, half-time analysts, and neutral observers worldwide. Even Mussolini would be disgraced, not only by their lack of offensive creativity and finishing skill, but the continuous barrage of fake injuries and psuedo-pains. It was a just result, and while Italy can still manage to qualify with a win over Slovakia next week, this will cost them a favorable draw: they're looking at the Netherlands in round one (the only other losers from today's action) and then Brazil, possibly, in round two. So something good is happening in South Africa, after all.
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