Smith's Decision to Opt Out of Japan Friendly - Ipswich Town News
New Zealand caretaker-manager Neil Emblen has revealed that Town defender Tommy Smith asked not to be included in the All Whites squad for their friendly in Japan on March 5th. The 23-year-old opted to remain at home to concentrate on the Blues’ play-off push.
It’s not the first club-versus-country situation Smith has faced this season. In November the All Whites vice-captain reportedly threatened to quit international football after New Zealand Football set a deadline for him to report for their World Cup play-off against Mexico which meant he had to miss Town’s game at Blackpool.
Some sections of the New Zealand press are questioning Smith’s commitment to the All Whites in the wake of his opt-out, however, Emblen says he can understand Smith’s position, but warns him that other players could win his place in the team in his absence: "I'm sympathetic to Tommy's situation.
"His club agreed to release him but Tommy feels this is an opportunity to prioritise his club who are fighting for promotion for the first time in a while.
"You either want to play and make the effort to come back like all the other boys or you run the risk of someone else playing well."
The defender wouldn't have missed a Town game if he had gone away with the All Whites but would have faced travelling some distance between the Birmingham game on March 1st and the match at Middlesbrough the following Saturday.
Smith, who was born in the UK but grew up in New Zealand, has won 27 full caps, scoring two goals.
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