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Skipper Smith Nets Winner for New Zealand Saturday, 2nd Jun 2012 09:40
Town defender Tommy Smith netted his first international goal to see his New Zealand side to a 1-0 victory over Fiji in their opening match at the Oceania Nations Cup in the Solomon Islands overnight. Smith, who was skippering the side, slammed home from close range in the ninth minute after Fiji keeper Simione Tamanisau had failed to hold on to a freekick.
Smith says his goal came from following the example of more regular scorers in similar situations: "You watch strikers score their goals and you try and do what they do.
"I've just gambled that keeper might make a little mistake and luckily for me he did."
The 22-year-old, who was winning his 12th cap, admits his side found it hard going with the game at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara having kicked-off at noon: “It was tough conditions, very humid.
“We managed to get quite an early goal which helped us settle a bit. Unfortunately we couldn’t add to the goal but we managed to hold on to the win.
“They got their tails up towards the end. We were defending quite deep towards the end and the energy levels were low but we managed to get through it.”
The All Whites next face Papua New Guinea on Monday and finally the hosts on Wednesday in the competition which doubles as part of the World Cup qualification process.
Later today, Blues midfielder Josh Carson, who is 19 on Sunday, could win his third full cap in Northern Ireland's friendly against Holland at the Amsterdam Arena (BBC 2 NI, Sky channel 992, 6.50pm).
Photo: Action Images
Photo: Action Images
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Great news! Tommy seems to be improving dramatically. Well done.
Still think we need two new defenders though - as currently we only have Tommy and Delaney. That won't be enough to get through yet another tough season.
With Leadbitter gone and Edwards not necessarily guaranteed a start next season now that Hewitt's here, think it would be a smart move for PJ to at least appoint Tommy vice-captain.
Think it has to remembered that the standard of oppo in this competition is very low and he was a central part of a awful ITFC defence.
However there was some improvement last season and perhaps with a decent experienced centre half by his side this might help him improve further and tighten up a defence which if it does not improve will stop ITFC progressing.
@ozzydog. Give him a break & some credit. He is improving with every game & his confidence must be improving big time. So lets get behind the lad & give him the credit he deserves. Can only be good for ITFC.
Well done Tommy. It sounds like his confidence has been given a boost and his game has improved as a result. Just hope he gets some time off this Summer at some point...don't want him coming back injured or fatigued.
I worked in the region for six years and I can tell you it takes several months to acclimatise to the environment. Typical year round temperatures stay around 32 C and the humidity is 98%. The Fijians are already used to it and NZ did well to hold on to the win. Soccer used to be played mostly by Fiji Indians but in recent years the native Fijians have moved into the game from Rugby, adding their weight and power to the game.
If he plays all season Tommy will bag a good 5 or 6 goals, I'm sure of it. Good goal scoring centre back, mainly because he's got such a good leap at set pieces.
Needs a defensive partner though. As much as I think Delaney gets harsh criticism sometimes, I don't think that partnership can work consistently.
@greenkingtone "I worked in the region for six years and I can tell you it takes several months to acclimatise to the environment." I have been to the Solomon Islands and I was acclimatised after a day at the most. It doesn't take several months for everyone.
Crock- I have worked in honiaras for several months - acclimatised in a 1 day??...... Your having a laugh! Walking around in t- shirts and shorts with a solbrew in hand, returning to cool off in the pool after half an hour, maybe, but running around playing football for 90 minutes....... Nah! Especially after being used to NZ or European weather! That's why the locals are as lazy as...... Too bloody hot!!
...... 0ne of our promising YOUNGSTERS that deserves far more recognition and credit from the Manager, and SOME Supporters than he gets. Great future ahead of him.
Well Done Tommy - just hope you don't get driven out of this Club to achieve your potential.
Always a player worth a couple of quid at the bookies on betting on Tommy to score. His done very well the last few months and deserves his 1st team place with Town and NZ.
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