Blues youngster Monty Patterson will hope to win his fourth full international cap and help New Zealand to the final of the Oceania Nations Cup when the All Whites take on New Caledonia in the semi-finals in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Wednesday morning.

The winners will meet either the Solomon Islands or the hosts, who meet later the same day, in Saturday's final.

Midfielder or striker Patterson, 19, who is yet to make a senior appearance for Town, made his All Whites debut from the start of their opening game 3-1 victory over Fiji and came on as a second-half sub in the subsequent wins against Vanuatu, 5-0, and the Solomon Islands, 1-0.

New Zealand will be out for revenge, the New Caledonians having pulled off a surprise 2-0 semi-final victory over an All Whites side including Town defender Tommy Smith when the tournament was last staged in 2012.

New Caledonia lost 1-0 to Tahiti in the final while New Zealand beat the Solomon Islands 4-3 in the third/fourth play-off.

The Oceania Nations Cup 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.

Patterson returned to action for Town’s U21s in the closing weeks of the season having spent seven months out with a serious ankle injury.

Meanwhile, former Blues striker Mich d’Avray, 54, has joined the technical staff of Ajax Cape Town in his native South Africa.

Photo: Action Images

Meon_Valley_Blue added 21:57 - Jun 7 Think we need to be careful not to lose this talent. Notice Postman Pat in the background ringing the vIllage Football Club's chief scout......
1

Seasider added 17:55 - Jun 8 Nice to see that Mich has kept working in football back in his native South Africa
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls