Tommy Smith rued New Zealand’s lack of fire power after yesterday’s exit from the World Cup. The All Whites drew all three of their matches, ending with a 0-0 stalemate against group winners Paraguay, their games with Slovakia and Italy having finished 1-1.
Smith said: "I think we’re a team that showed a lot of defensive quality, but it’s a shame we couldn’t score more goals.
"We’re a bit sad about missing out on the next round, but of course it’s been positive overall. We had some good chances [against Paraguay] but we couldn’t put them away. I think the fact that they didn’t attack us more is down to the work we did in defence.”
The 20-year-old admitted to being "a bit gutted” at his side's campaign coming to an end, but felt that he, like his team-mates, had grown "as a player as well as a person” during the competition.
Little had been expected of New Zealand but their impressive performances left Smith disappointed that they didn’t make the knockout stages: ”I’m just sad it’s had to come to an end early in the competition.”
The Blues defender was in no doubt about the competition’s highlight: "It would have to be the 1-1 draw with Italy. That stands out for me. Playing the world champions and getting a result against them was brilliant.”
Smith hopes the experience of South Africa will be good for football in New Zealand and for his own career progress: "More and more kids are taking up football and that can only be good for the development of the game in New Zealand.
"For me personally, I think playing in the World Cup has improved me as a player and I hope that will help me to establish myself in the Ipswich side.
"I have already had a few messages from some of the Ipswich lads saying well done but I'm sure I will get some stick from them when I get back as well."
Smith is now set for a holiday and has been given extra time off to recover from the World Cup before he returns for pre-season with Town. The rest of the squad will be back at Playford Road on Monday.
An interview with Smith can be found on the NZ Herald’s website here.