Smith's New Zealand Avenge Defeat - Ipswich Town News

Town centre-half Tommy Smith and New Zealand beat New Caledonia 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Noumea this morning, avenging their 2-0 Oceania Nations Cup semi-final defeat to the Pacific Islanders earlier in the summer.

All Whites vice-captain Smith played the full 90 minutes and won his 17th full cap. New Zealand take on the Solomon Islands in another World Cup qualifier in Auckland on Tuesday.

Later today, Blues midfielders Josh Carson and Gunnar Thorsteinsson are also in international action.

Carson’s Northern Ireland are in Russia for a World Cup qualifier this afternoon (Sky Sports One 3.45pm). If he’s involved, the Blues midfielder will win his fifth full cap.

Academy second-year scholar Thorsteinsson and the Icelandic U19s take on Estonia in the first of two friendlies with the second on Sunday.

What to read next:

Ipswich Town 1-0 Sheffield United - Half-Time
Jaden Philogene’s first goal at Portman Road has given the Blues a 1-0 half-time lead against Sheffield United.

Furlong and Akpom Start For Blues
Town have made two changes for this evening’s live Sky game against Sheffield United at Portman Road with Darnell Furlong and Chuba Akpom coming into the team.

Ipswich Town v Sheffield United - Chatroom Open
Join us in the chatroom to discuss the game as it unfolds with hundreds of other Town fans.

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.

Wark Book Pre-Order Deadline Today
The deadline for pre-orders of the new John Wark book He’s Here, He’s There is today.

Akpom: I Always Had My Mind Set on Ipswich
Chuba Akpom has revealed he always wanted to sign for Town this summer despite nearly joining Championship rivals Birmingham City.

U18s at Palace
Town’s U18s face Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ training ground on Saturday afternoon (KO midday).

Ipswich Town v Sheffield United - Predictions
Have you predicted the Blades score yet? Seventy six per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win this evening, 14 per cent a draw and ten per cent an away win. The most commonly predicted result is a 2-1 win to Town with Hirst the first scorer but what do you think?

Gray in New Zealand Squad For U20 World Cup
Blues keeper Henry Gray has been named in the New Zealand squad for the U20 World Cup which gets under way in Chile later this month.

Akpom: Time to Kick On From Now
Town forward Chuba Akpom believes the Blues’ slow start to the season is not a cause for concern ahead of Friday’s match against Sheffield United at Portman Road.