Patterson on Target for New Zealand U23s - Ipswich Town News

Academy scholar Monty Patterson was on target as New Zealand’s U23s beat the Solomon Islands 2-0 in their opening match at the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea earlier this morning.

The 18-year-old opened the scoring in the 29th minute with Alex Rufer adding the second five minutes before the break. Patterson was replaced in the 70th minute.

29' GOAL!!! NZL 1-0 SOL @PattersonMonty hits it first time and it's in off the post! #NZLvSOL #PNG2015 1-0

— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) July 3, 2015

New Zealand next face the hosts on Sunday and then New Caledonia in their final group game on Tuesday with the tournament winners claiming a place at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Last month Patterson played for New Zealand at the FIFA U20 World Cup with his goal in the 5-1 victory over Myanmar named amongst those nominated for the Goal of the Tournament.

Game 1 down 3 points #PoolRecoverySession#NationalTeam#under23s#golazo! https://t.co/XUb5Lcl5Dl

— Monty Patterson (@PattersonMonty) July 3, 2015

What to read next:

Wardley Wins!
Fabio Wardley won his Portman Road fight in sensational style, knocking out Justis Huni with a huge right hand in the 10th round to claim the WBA interim Heavyweight title with the Australian looking on course for victory.

Pitts Wins Second Malta U21s Cap
Town youngster Josh Pitts won his second Malta U21s cap in this evening’s 2-1 friendly win away in San Marino (KO 5pm).

Waiting Over For Wardley
The waiting is finally over for Fabio Wardley, with the Town-supporting boxer’s long-held ambition of a Portman Road fight set to be fulfilled this evening.

Pitts Set For Second Malta U21s Cap
Town youngster Josh Pitts looks set to win his second Malta U21s cap when his side takes on San Marino in the second of two away friendlies this evening (KO 5pm).

Clarke: Slicker Thrown Into Situation He Perhaps Wasn't Ready For
Scotland boss Steve Clarke says he feels for Blues keeper Cieran Slicker following his difficult full international debut in the 3-1 defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park and admitted that the 22-year-old may have been thrown into a situation he wasn’t ready for.

Tough Scotland Debut For Slicker as Four Win Caps
Town keeper Cieran Slicker was handed his full Scotland debut off the bench in the opening minutes and had a tough time as his team, which also featured George Hirst, was beaten 3-1 by Iceland in a friendly at Hampden Park, while Dara O’Shea and Jack Taylor added to their Republic of Ireland caps in a 1-1 friendly in Dublin.

Tuanzebe Out of DR Congo Squad
Blues defender Axel Tuanzebe has left DR Congo’s training camp in Orleans, France due to injury.

TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
Welcome to the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season

Al-Hamadi: Red Card Extremely Painful
Blues striker Ali Al-Hamadi has issued an apology for his red card while playing for Iraq in last night’s 2-0 defeat to South Korea in Basra, a dismissal the 23-year-old admits was “extremely painful”.

Town Announce Austrian Friendly
Town have confirmed a friendly against Austrian side Blau-Weiß Linz at their Hofmann Personal Stadion on Saturday 19th July (KO 5pm UK time) at the end of their pre-season training camp.