Town youngster Monty Patterson won his first full cap as New Zealand opened their Oceania Nations Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Fiji in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Patterson started in midfield and played the first 65 minutes. Former Town loanees Chris Wood and Rory Fallon were amongst the scorers for the All Whites.

The 19-year-old, who is yet to make a senior appearance for the Blues, returned to action for Town’s U21s in the closing weeks of the season having spent seven months out with a serious ankle injury.

New Zealand next face Vanuatu on Tuesday before completing their group matches against the Solomon Islands on Saturday 4th June with all their games in Port Moresby.

The tournament doubles up as the second round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, while the winner will represent the Oceania Football Confederation at the 2017 Confederations Cup, which like the World Cup will be in Russia.

Good win for us in our first game of the tournament . Buzzing to have made my debut as well 🙏🏼 #allwhites pic.twitter.com/ief1Fx0Z7T– Monty Patterson (@PattersonMonty) May 28, 2016

All Whites: Stefan Marinovic, Kip Colvey, Themi Tzimopoulos, Bill Tuiloma, Chris Wood, Luka Prelevic, Monty Patterson (Michael McGlinchey 65) Rory Fallon (Logan Rogerson 76), Louis Fenton (Thomas Doyle 84), Luke Adams, Sam Brotherton.

Photo: Action Images

coyb99 added 11:25 - May 28 Well done Monty! Future is certainly looking bright for Town
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corfu72 added 12:06 - May 28 One for the future I hope.!!
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jas0999 added 12:33 - May 28 Certainly a player who should be given a chance in a pre season game.
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CanadianBlue added 18:18 - May 28 first ipswich player to get internationally capped before making his league debut (for any side)?
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neilvanlimbeek added 20:45 - May 28 Reggie Lambe??
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CanadianBlue added 22:46 - May 28 i thought reggie had made a cup appearance prior to his international debut
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PhilTWTD added 23:21 - May 28 Reggie made his international debut at 16, a fair while before he made the first team. Peters had won caps before he joined Town and after he had agreed to sign but while he was waiting for his work permit situation to be sorted out. But can't see that he played between actually signing and making his debut. http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/12036
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KiwiTractor added 11:21 - May 29 Bizarre, that's my cousin treating Monty in the twitter phone! Good to see he's in good hands.....
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Seasider added 17:35 - May 29 Taken over from Smithy as our globe trotting international for New Zealand. Tommy didn't seem so keen to keep doing this,presumably as he thought it was affecting his game;so basically snubbed NZ,so will not be picked by present Manager. Not a bad thing from Ipswich' point of view,thats if he remains here,as unlike the other regulars/favourites don't think he has signed an extended/new contract;though not sure how much he has left on his existing one?

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