Football fans all over New Zealand were up in this morning’s early hours to watch the All Whites draw 1-1 against defending champions Italy, in their second historic 2010 FIFA World Cup clash. The Kiwi football team, considered the underdogs of the competition, scored an early seventh-minute goal courtesy of striker Shane Smeltz against Italy - ranked 73 positions ahead of them.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert said the team - who are only at the FIFA World Cup for the second time in history (and the first in 28 years) - had achieved the impossible dream.

"There’ve been some interesting results, but I don’t think you’ve seen one as big as that one. I don’t think anybody would have remotely given us a chance tonight."

All Whites golden streak

The All Whites have been on a golden streak since qualifying for the fiercely competitive Football World Cup against Bahrain in late 2009.

They subsequently won against Serbia in a pre-World Cup international friendly, before drawing against Slovakia in the first round of the World Cup finals last week (16.06.2010). Teams are divided into groups to play against each other in the FIFA World Cup finals, and the All Whites are sitting in Group F along with Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia. The All Whites will play against Paraguay on Thursday (24.06.2010) which will be early Friday morning NZ-time.

The last time the All Whites were at the FIFA World Cup was in 1982, in Spain. Coach Ricki Herbert was part of the team that went home after racking up three losses in the first round.

Underdog champions

The continuing success of underdog champions the All Whites has captured the attention of international media which has praised their humble Kiwi attitude along with their skills.

Describing the draw as "the feelgood hit of the summer", the UK’s Guardian website said: "New Zealand has infused this World Cup with the sort of innocent, everyman charm that was seemingly lost to top-level football. After two games, they are only behind Italy on alphabetical order." Across the ditch, Aussie neighbours also pitched in with the Sydney Morning Herald saying "this was a famous day for New Zealand football, a famous day for New Zealand anything."

"This match pitted holders against hangers-on. Four-time world champions and current holder of the World Cup trophy met New Zealand, expected to be making up the numbers here. Bravely not so."

The UK Telegraph also trumpeted their support for New Zealand: "All over the glistening, ultra-modern Mbombela Stadium, patches of white whirled, New Zealand shirts stripped from chests and held aloft in defiance and delight. The team that came as cannon fodder had just detonated Italy’s World Cup hopes. There was nothing lucky about this point, though, for New Zealand, standard bearers of smaller nations."

Background: NZ footballer Shane Smeltz

The All Whites’ golden goal against Italy was scored by striker Shane Smeltz, a seasoned award-winning Kiwi football player. Smeltz is a key component of the All Whites’ attacking arsenal, and has scored a total of eight goals in five FIFA World Cup qualifiers. After several years playing in minor English league teams, Smetz returned to New Zealand in 2007 to play for the Wellington Phoenix. Smeltz currently plays for Gold Coast United.

In his earlier career, Smeltz represented New Zealand in the Under-20 and Under-23 teams, as well as the All Whites. Shane Smeltz was voted New Zealand’s 2007 ‘Footballer of the Year’, and was named in the 2009 Confederations Cup as part of the New Zealand squad.

Thanks to newzealand.com