ARGYLE forward Rory Fallon was celebrating his part in one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history on Sunday.
Rory and his New Zealand team-mates, 2,000-1 rank outsiders at the beginning of South Africa 2010, held defending champions Italy to a memorable 1-1 draw in Nelspruit, near Johannesburg.
The 6ft 3in Pilgrim, wearing the same number 14 he dons for the Greens, kept Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and fellow centre-back Giorgio Chiellini keen for more than an hour before being withdrawn in a tactical switch.
Having been booked in the 14th minute for a foul on Cannavaro, All Whites' manager Ricki Herbert withdrew Rory to ensure he did not pick up a second caution - and a dismissal - and be unavailable for the Kiwis' last group game this week.
The draw against Italy was, said Herbert, "the most incredible result we have had. It's the biggest thing we have achieved in the game."
Shane Smeltz gave New Zealand a shock seventh-minute lead at the Mbombela stadium before Vincenzo Iaquinta equalised from the penalty spot after 29 minutes.
All Whites' defender Tommy Smith, of Ipswich Town, tugged the shirt of Italian midfielder Daniele Di Rossi, who fell easily, clearly looking for a penalty.
There was also some controversy over New Zealand's goal, with Smeltz looking to be offside.
"We're still in with a chance in the group and that will surprise 99.9 percent of people," said Herbert.
"No one would remotely have given us a chance, but we did it.
"We were playing the four-times world champions; some people thought we shouldn't be part of this World Cup with the way we qualified.
"We were always daring to dream at this World Cup and anything is possible."
Among the 41,000 crowd was New Zealand Prime Minister John Key. He said: "Sensational result and they played with courage for the whole 90 minutes. Fantastic."
The draw, following the Kiwis' opening 1-1 stalemate against Slovakia means the All Whites are second in Group F, equal with Italy, on two points.
Victory over Paraguay in their final group game at Polokwane on Thursday would see them qualify for the second round...at the expense of the much-fancied holders and four-times winners of the greatest show on turf.
New Zealand, which boasts just 25 professional footballers, are in only their second World Cup finals, having been swept aside in all three of their group games in 1982, when Rory's dad, Kevin, was coach.
They are ranked 78th in the world, a massive 73 places behind Italy.
