Fifa World Cup 2010: Group F Italy New Zealand the real preview

Photo - Italian women do the haka (New Zealand war dance) in the streets of Italy.

In 2008, Fiat created a stir by airing a commercial showing Italian women demonstrating their passion for their Fiat Idea motorcars, by doing a Haka. New Zealand Maori were not impressed. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the ad "culturally insensitive and inappropriate." 

This followed the Italian rugby team's decision in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, to form a huddle and ignore the All Black's traditional pre-match performance of the haka.  

Although these tales of the haka are possibly interesting, the haka is irrelevant to Sunday's game between the Azzurri and the All Whites. As the All Whites are one Kiwi sports team that does not perform the native war dance.

However given the only time these two teams have previously met (a friendly played as a prelude to last year's Confederations Cup tournament) ended in an embarasingly close 4-3 result; it is hoped Lippi is a bit more sensitive to New Zealand and their footballing abilities.

In their meeting last year, Gilardino and Iaquinta split the goals scoring a brace each. In this week's game against Paraguay, neither striker got a shot on target.

New Zealand's only broadsheet Sunday paper (the Sunday Star Times) has said the Azzurri are anxious and the results suffered by teams like Spain, France, Germany and England will give the All Whites a mental edge.

On the eve of the match, Italian coach Marcello Lippi has stated he's not interested in what's happening elsewhere. Lippi has no comment to make about Anelka's departure, for allegedly criticising his coach. It seems Lippi didn't say match as he also didn't want to talk about formations. Nor did he want previous plans and selections ridiculed.

Lippi believes his charges are ready and that they have grown physically and mentally. His team have enjoyed a positive week together. He does not believe the Italians need to fear the New Zealander's technical game plan, but their physical and aerial threat will be present. He warns to not expect anything flashy from the Italians, but a game played at pace with the ball kept on deck.

Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport predicts the Italians will play a 4-4-2 formation. With Lippi retaining Iaqunta and Gilardino up front. Pepe and Marchisio to play right and left wing, respectively. Montolivio and De Rossi to marshal the centre of midfield. The back four is unlikely to be changed.

All White coach, Ricky Herbert says his team has nothing to lose. Most media sources in New Zealand are applying positive spin to tomorrow's game. Even during the test rugby match between the All Blacks and Wales, the commentator took time out to discuss soccer and wishing their team the best in knocking over the Italians.