Smith's All Whites Claim Third
Sunday, 10th Jun 2012 09:53

Tommy Smith’s New Zealand claimed third place at the Oceania Nations Cup overnight with a 4-3 victory over hosts the Solomon Islands. West Brom’s Chris Wood netted a hat-trick and Shane Smeltz, who plays in Australia with the Perth Glory, hit the winner in injury time.

Coach Ricki Herbert made a number of changes to the side which lost to New Caledonia in the semi-finals and Smith, who was winning his 16th full cap, was one of eight players starting who will be with the Oly Whites at this summer’s Olympics.

Smith, who again skippered the side, was withdrawn eight minutes after the break with his team ahead 3-1 to remove any risk of a booking which would have led to a suspension for the next stage of World Cup qualifying.

Progression into the semi-finals saw the All Whites into the third stage of qualification for Brazil 2014 in September, but the lucrative place in next summer’s Confederations Cup, also in Brazil, went to Tahiti after they beat New Caledonia 1-0 in the Oceania Nations Cup final, also played overnight.

Smith was pleased to get third place even if the tournament as a whole ultimately proved to be a disappointment: “Obviously we would’ve preferred to be playing in the final but we knew we had a job to do and thankfully we got that win.”

The 22-year-old was delighted for room-mate Wood, adding on Twitter: “Congratulations to the roomy [Chris Wood] for netting his first international hat-trick!

“Well done to the lads for bouncing back and getting third. Temperature must have been pushing 40 but the workrate stayed high.”

Smith’s next game with New Zealand will be a pre-Olympics friendly against Japan in Tokyo on July 11th. The Oly Whites, an U23 side plus three overage players, take on Belarus (July 27th), Egypt (July 29th) and Brazil (August 1st) at London 2012.

The central defender will miss much of Town's pre-season programme, which starts on July 5th, due to his involvement with New Zealand.

Photo: Action Images

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1

BLUEBEAT added 10:44 - Jun 10 shouldn't the title be 'Smith Skippers All Whites To Third'?
0

walberswick added 11:09 - Jun 10 "Subbed Smith Misses All Whites Extra Time Win"
0

jas0999 added 11:24 - Jun 10 Good for Tommy - but still think PJ needs to sign two CB's. A GK is key as well!
0

bobble added 11:28 - Jun 10 lucky the aussies decided to enter the asian league tommy !
0

Mark added 12:03 - Jun 10 I am hopeful that Smith can hold a place in our side next season, continue to improve and maybe become Ipswich captain in due course. I agree that we need two centre backs - one first choice to play alongside Smith and another for backup/competition - and a first choice goalkeeper.
0

ozzydog added 14:46 - Jun 10 oh did`t he do well!! He is no where near the standard ITFC need if they are to be successful,imagine for one moment Smith in the Prem?! Get rid part, of an awful defence that conceded goals for fun ,I was at Peterborough
0

IpswichFan26 added 15:50 - Jun 10 Ozzydog - What about the second half of the season??? Tommy was classy for us then, and will only get better In time. We do need 2 new cb's, but we shouldnt get rid of Smith
0

mattraisin added 16:10 - Jun 10 "I was at Peterborough" means nothing for Tommy, part of a defence that turned things around at the end of the season, he barely played at Peterborough.
0

terry_butchers_twin added 20:02 - Jun 10

Well done Tommy. This has been great experience for him and can only improve him all round. Add to this the opportunity of playing in the Olympics and he should come back full of confidence and able to build on his back end of the season performances. Far better pre-season preparation than turning out for an ITFC XI against Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries Old Boys!! Please can we stop knocking the lad and get behind him now.

algarvefan added 08:10 - Jun 11 OMG FFS he's only a youngster who at last has found his confidence and you so called supporters are trying to destroy it again. I agree with 'terry butchers twin' good experience for the lad and 'we' should be proud of him not writing the rubbish that some of you have put on here!!!!
0