Centre-half Tommy Smith started and played the full 90 minutes as New Zealand beat Fiji 2-0 in Wellington this morning to confirm their progress through to the next stage of World Cup qualification. Ryan Thomas, who plays for PEC Zwolle in Holland, netted a goal in each half.

The All Whites topped their three-team Oceania qualification group and will next meet the winners of the other group - probably Tahiti - in a two-legged play-off.

The side which wins that will face the team which finishes fifth in the South American qualification group in an inter-confederation play-off for a place at the finals in Russia in the summer of 2018.

Smith, who was winning his 31st full cap, made his first start for New Zealand since returning to international football having come on as a late sub in Saturday’s 2-0 win in Fiji, his first All Whites appearance since November 2014.

The 26-year-old came close to scoring his third international goal when he hit the bar with a header in the first half.

Town youngster Monty Patterson, who is currently on loan at Braintree, was also included in the squad but pulled out due to a hamstring injury.

Photo: TWTD

KiwiTractor added 10:49 - Mar 28 Tommy played on the left side of a back 3, and he played reasonably well, against limited opposition. Only one touch I can think of that was a bit dodgy. Very unlucky not to score when he hit the crossbar from a well worked corner. Played a full 90 which is good news for itfc. Hopefully he will partner Webster next season in the championship for itfc under a different manager!

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Steelmonkey added 19:50 - Mar 28 Apologies for hijacking this page but I'm a bit confused. I got my invite to renew my season ticket through yesterday. Being of that age I used to qualify for a senior citizen ticket, do I read the info correctly being over sixty but under sixty five, am I being offered this coming season's ticket at a 50% discount, as compensation, for the club only now offering senior rate to sixty five year olds. Can any one help on this matter?

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ronnyd added 21:11 - Mar 28 Steelmonkey, go on to the forum and ask the question there, there may be a topic posted already about it. HTH.
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KiwiBlue2 added 23:51 - Mar 28 I thought that Tommy looked very solid and as well as the header which hit the bar he made a number of very accurate passes and overall looked a class above. Hopefully Hudson has now put the past behind him and we can look forward to Tommy starting in the important upcoming games where he has the ability to make a significant difference for us.....
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Toronto_Tractor added 22:02 - Mar 29 Tough group.
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