Town duo Tommy Smith and Josh Carson are set to add to their international caps on Saturday. Smith will skipper New Zealand in their opening game at the Oceania Nations Cup in the Solomon Islands against Fiji, while Carson’s Northern Ireland take on the Netherlands in Amsterdam.

Smith will win his 12th cap in the game in Honiara with Oceania Nations Cup matches doubling as World Cup qualifiers. The All Whites subsequently take on Papua New Guinea (June 4th) and the hosts (June 6th).

The conditions are likely to prove as much of a challenge as the opposition with temperatures likely to be above 30 degrees with humidity touching 90 per cent.

The 22-year-old, who last week became New Zealand's youngest-ever captain, says he has sought the advice of his more senior team-mates ahead of the games: "Hopefully I can take that on board and relish the opportunity given to me.

"It's different to anything else I've experienced but it seems like a relatively nice place. The people seem really nice and friendly, so I think it'll be a good experience for me personally and another country ticked off the list."

Carson, who is 19 on Sunday, will win his third full cap if he is involved in Northern Ireland's friendly at the Amsterdam Arena (BBC 2 NI, Sky channel 992, 6.50pm).

On Monday, Blues striker Ronan Murray could win his third Republic of Ireland U21 cap when his side take on Italy in a Euro 2013 qualifier in Sligo.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

DanLyles added 10:54 - Jun 1 What has happened to Carson? Last year he oozed quality, pace, promise and an end product. Hope he finds his way this season as he would be like a new signing. It's all gone eerily quiet on the Alan Judge front :( ...
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Michael11 added 10:56 - Jun 1 I agree DanLyles but i think if he plays to his potential week in week out he'll be twice the player Alan Judge is. Hopefully he'll get a good pre-season come back sharp and be like a new signing next year.
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DanLyles added 12:06 - Jun 1 Would be good to have Carson, Judge, Martin and JET as our wide options
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ArnieMsBigToe added 12:12 - Jun 1 I think that we all agree with you DanLyles. Just because we've made one signing doesn't mean that the job is done!! Come on PJ. Lets have an idea of who is next!!
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DanLyles added 12:27 - Jun 1 Don't get me started on a goal keeper, 2 centre backs, and a target man, I'm in the mood for a rant... grrr...
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Mark added 12:36 - Jun 1 BBC 2 NI is also available on Freesat Channel 969 for those of us who are Murdoch-free. :-) If would be rather surreal if Carson, who couldn't get into the Ipswich side and who hasn't looked in the best shape, plays against Holland at international level. Good luck to him and to Tommy.
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statto added 04:07 - Jun 2 Tommy Smith (with an I) captained and scored the winner, 1-0, for New Zealand v Fiji today. Being skipper suits the young guy. Ryan Nelsen certainly thinks so. Well done Tommy.
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gypo added 06:14 - Jun 2 Stand-in captain Tommy Smith scored the lone goal as New Zealand struggled to a 1-0 win over Fiji in its opening match at the Oceania Nations Cup football tournament Saturday. The Ipswich defender tapped home a rebound after Fiji goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau failed to hold a Leo Bertos free kick in the ninth minute. Fiji had several chances to equalize, the best coming in the 49th minute when veteran Roy Krishna back-heeled the ball to striker Osea Vakatalesau on the edge of the box only for keeper Mark Paston to tip Vakatalesau's shot over the bar.

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