FIFA World Cup: Cheers for the home teams from both sides

Alfio Leotta and Matiu Workman (inset). Photos / Steven McNicholl, Paul Estcourt (inset)

Alfio Leotta
Alfio Leotta is wishing the All Whites the best for their match against Italy but is backing his country to win.

The 30-year-old has been away from his home in Sicily for four years, studying and teaching film at the University of Auckland.

Although he has come to love New Zealand and cheered them on against Slovakia, he is not going give up his allegiance to his native land.

"I hope New Zealand plays well but I want Italy to win."

Mr Leotta has played football since he was six and says it is common for most children in Italy to play, watch and support the game.

He brushed off Italy's draw against Paraguay, saying he is confident they will get to the second round.

"It was disappointing though. Italy always performs badly in the pool, but they always get through."

He will be keeping both eyes on his favourite Fabio Cannavaro in the hope the Italian captain will steer his team to victory against New Zealand.

And he will not be doing it alone - he plans to back the Azzurri, Italian-style, by gathering with other supporters at pizza and pasta restaurant Gina's.

Matiu Workman
All Whites fan Matiu Workman says New Zealand needs to attack from the opening whistle if they are to have any chance against Italy on Monday morning.

The 21-year-old journalism student said while he was pleased with the All Whites performance against Slovakia, Ricki Herbert's players would have to pick up their game when they squared off against the Azzurri.

"Near the end of the [Slovakia] game, the All Whites were kicking the ball among themselves. Those tactics won't work against a team like Italy. They need to go out and score early," said Mr Workman.

Mr Workman closely followed the ascension of the All Whites and their road to the World Cup, which, along with the Wellington Phoenix, helped pique his interest in soccer.

While he has an interest in a wide range of sports, he says football takes priority and he will head out early on Monday to support the All Whites.

"This is a chance for us to unite and show what New Zealand can do on the world stage."

He says while the All Whites are unlikely to win, if they back themselves then they could come away with a draw against the defending champions.

"It depends on our mindset.

"If we go out and attack early and get an early goal then we've got a good chance of drawing."

TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ITALY:

One
Its team, the Azzurri, are reigning world champions and four-time World Cup winners.

Two
It was once illegal in parts of Italy to sell an over-priced espresso.

Three
Most unmarried Italians still live with their parents.

Four
Italians make Ferrari and Lamborghini, but also Fiats - and their driving is notoriously bad.

Five
Guiseppe Garibaldi helped found Italy with a brigade of "Red shirt" revolutionaries - in turn inspiring former European Cup winners Nottingham Forest to wear red.

Six
Ancient Romans played harpastum, a football-rugby hybrid which involved lots of nude, violent people kicking a ball around a field.

Seven
Italy has produced some of the greatest minds, including Leonardo de Vinci and Galileo Galilei. But also Benito Mussolini.

Eight
Soccer fans in Italy are called tifosi, which literally means "carriers of typhus".

Nine
Italians each consume 25kg of pasta and almost 100 litres of wine every year.

Ten
They are getting on a bit - 20 per cent of Italy's population is over 65, and it has one of the lowest birth and fertility rates in the world.