Canada made an announcement on head coach John Herdman that refuted earlier reports. Earlier on Wednesday, Newshub reported the 47-year-old head coach switched allegiances. The story claimed he would be taking over the same role with New Zealand. Earlier in his coaching career, Herdman worked with the women's national team in New Zealand from 2003 […]

The FIFA Women's World Cup is now just six months away, and fans finally know the official match ball. Nicknamed "OCEAUNZ," it is the ninth successive ball produced by Adidas. However, it maintains some of the same technology from previous balls at the men's and Women's World Cups. For example, a CTR core allows for […]

The Azzurri performed poorly throughout the World Cup and waited till the 80th minute of the match against Slovakia to start playing when it was too late to make a reaction to compensate for the failures in the previous 260 minutes of football. What is most troubling is the fact the Italian reaction was not […]

Despite Italy's lackluster performance in their first two group stage matches, the Azzurri have the chance to advance into the next round of the World Cup with a win or a tie plus help. Some excellent analyses of the Italian team's weaknesses have been published over the last few days, and the negatives about this Italian […]

Italy managed to draw 1-1 against both Paraguay and New Zealand while failing to impress despite having seen a lot in terms of ball possession, in particular against the Kiwis when the Italians had just over 70% in terms of ball possession. Pundits and fans alike are debating what has gone wrong for the Azzurri […]

Yet another disappointing result for the Azzurri, while they drew with Paraguay last round of matches, that result seemed acceptable because New Zealand and Slovakia drew as well. But a draw against New Zealand, knowing that Paraguay had beaten Slovakia 2-0 is definitely a bad result. Lippi decided to start with a standard 4-4-2 formation, […]

By now you have undoubtedly heard about the injury to Gigi Buffon and his questionable status for the remainder of the World Cup. Reading between the lines of the statements coming out of the Italian camp it looks like possibly the best keeper in the world could actually miss the entire World Cup. And in […]

So the World Cup is now a week old, every team has played at least once. It is now becoming clear whether your team was a sound bet or as dodgy as a Northern Rock balance sheet. There have already been a few surprises, and those following a minnow may have had a nice surprise. Also […]

The biggest "win" in New Zealand soccer history was also a major victory for the Italian national team. Slovakia was the better club for ninety minutes today, taking a 1-0 lead over New Zealand early in the second half on a goal by Robert Vittek. The All Whites, who looked like a club playing in […]

Manager – Ricki Herbert FIFA Ranking – 78 Schedule – Slovakia (6/15), Italy (6/20), Paraguay (6/24) Qualification – First place, Oceania Big name player– Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers) Last time they qualified for WC – 1982 The colorfully named "All Whites" could conceivably be the worst team to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Consider the following: Two members of […]

There you have it, Italy in Group F, drawn with New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia. A relatively simple group and one Marcelo Lippi should take the Azzurri through with comfort. Group F Italy New Zealand Paraguay Slovakia They begin the defence of their crown in Capetown at the Greenpoint soccer stadium on June 14th 2010 […]