Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro insists he wasn't at fault for New Zealand's opener in their 1-1 draw.

The Azzurri went behind after just seven minutes when new Al Ahli signing Cannavaro once again struggled to deal with a set-piece, allowing Shane Smeltz to score although it did look as if the All Whites striker was offside.

"It's not my fault," the former Juventus defender said. "Don't say that this goal is also my fault because it isn't.

"It was a second ball that hit me, it wasn't my mistake just like against Paraguay when De Rossi should have followed his man, but they have put all the blame on me."