Third Draw for New Zealand But No Place in Last 16 - Ipswich Town News
Town’s Tommy Smith and New Zealand gained their first clean sheet of the World Cup as their group game with Paraguay ended in a goalless stalemate. However, the All Whites' third draw wasn’t enough to see them through to the knock-out stages of the competition.
Unbeaten New Zealand finished third in their group, ahead of bottom-placed Italy, with Slovakia in second behind Paraguay.
Despite their exit, New Zealand’s campaign greatly exceeded expectations with the 1-1 draw with 2006 World Cup winners Italy the highlight.
Smith, who now has seven full international caps, was amongst the stand-out performers in the All Whites' solid defence, alongside skipper Ryan Nelsen and fellow youngster Winston Reid.
The central defender, who spent part of last season on loan at Brentford, will be given an extended break before joining the rest of the Town squad during pre-season training, which begins on Monday.
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