Soccer: All Whites to take on Italy for first time

In another giant coup for New Zealand soccer, the All Whites will play World Cup champions Italy in a first ever-meeting in June.

New Zealand Football today announced a June 10 date has been set for the historic international friendly in the Pretoria township of Atteridgeville.

It will serve as a leadup for both teams to the Confederations Cup tournament in South Africa.

The match comes just four days before the All Whites take on European Champions and current world No 1 Spain in their Confederations Cup opener, with coach Ricki Herbert delighted at the prospect of playing the "perfect pair."

"To get a team of that stature leading in to playing the No 1 team in the world's fantastic. A big challenge for us but a fantastic team to get," he told journalists.

"To go back-to-back is going to be big for us."

It mirrors the scenario of three years ago, when New Zealand played then-World Champions Brazil in Switzerland ahead of the 2006 World Cup, losing 0-4.

Brazil went on to exit in the quarterfinals in Germany while Italy claimed their fourth World Cup title with victory over France in the final.

Herbert said New Zealand's search for quality international opponents is an ongoing one and praised officials from both nations for organising the fixture.

"It's crucial that we can throw the flag out there. All credit to Italy for accepting the match," he said.

"I just think it's brilliant, it flows right through the code in New Zealand.

"Hopefully we have everybody available. It will only be injuries that can keep the players away."

The match against the Azzurri will complete a three-game African buildup in which the All Whites will visit both Tanzania and Botswana for friendlies on June 3 and June 6 respectively.

That will acclimatise them to African conditions before returning to South Africa for the match against the four-time World Cup winners.

Oceania champions New Zealand begin their Confederations Cup campaign against Spain in Rustenburg on June 14, play hosts South Africa at the same venue three days later before meeting Asian champions Iraq in Johannesburg on June 20.

NZF chief executive Michael Glading said the Italian match offered something for football fans and the "unconverted" alike.

"The names of Buffon, Pirlo, Gattuso and Del Piero are household names for any sports fan who has ever turned on their TV and caught a World Cup, European Championship or a Champions League game," Glading said.

"Playing Italy and Spain are two huge highlights in a big year for football but of course it all culminates in October-November with two games for the biggest prize - a place at the 2010 World Cup."

Italy are currently top of group eight in World Cup European qualifying.

New Zealand Confederations Cup buildup schedule:

June 3: v Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

June 6: v Botswana, Garborone

June 10: v Italy, Atteridgeville, Pretoria

- NZPA