Blues defender Tommy Smith skippered New Zealand to a 1-1 draw with hosts the Solomon Islands in their final Oceania Nations Cup group game overnight. West Brom’s Chris Wood scored the All Whites’ goal in the 14th minute with Benjamin Totori hitting back for the home side just before the hour mark.

A draw was a disappointing result for Smith’s team, despite coach Ricki Herbert resting a number of players ahead of Friday’s semi-final against New Caledonia.

Smith, who is still unbeaten as an international captain, tweeted: "Disappointing to not get the win but valuable experience with a very young team.

"First in the group though so well done boys! On to the knock-out stages now. Time to move up a gear."

With matches coming thick and fast in hot and humid conditions, the 22-year-old admits he's feeling the pace a touch, joking: "Anyone got any magic remedies for recovery? Lol. #iceicebaby #massagemeup #RICE #tired."

The All Whites’ progress to the semi-finals of the Oceania Nations Cup means they’re already through to the next stage of World Cup qualification. Winning the tournament will secure them a place in next year's Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Meanwhile, former Blue Colin Healy was working on his UEFA B licence alongside former Spain, Real Madrid and Blackburn man Michel Salgado in Dublin last week. Healy, 32, is now back playing for hometown club Cork City.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

brian_a_mul added 08:53 - Jun 6 Congrats Tommy on qualifying for next stage of World Cup Qualification and on reaching Semi final of Oceania Nations. Best of luck in the semi and hopefully the final!
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Knightsy added 09:29 - Jun 6 It's Good to see Tommy Smith Playing well, but I hope he's not going to Burn himself out he's playing a alot of Games for New Zealand lately and also his going to play in the Olympic's this Summer as well.
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itfc1981 added 09:34 - Jun 6 New Caledonia. population 250k, former practicers of Cannibalism. Intresting opponents.
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irishtim added 10:21 - Jun 6 Well done again Tommy. Your puttting alot of overpaid players to shame,who moan about having too many games to play. Future ITFC captain imo.
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Guthrum added 10:56 - Jun 6 Rock on Tommy!
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Jeff_winger added 13:05 - Jun 6 I looked up this island and happened upon the ex middlesboro player Christian Karembeu who was from there. It said his great grandfather was a cannibal who the french took from the islands to exhibit in Paris to show what canibals looked like. He was later swapped for crocodiles. Strange place (I mean France)
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DiamondGezzer added 14:37 - Jun 6 Well done Tommy, don't get eaten, come home safe.
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Marcus added 15:35 - Jun 6 @DiamondGezzer - the cannibal tribes typically only eat their own deceased relatives. There are cases where they are also aggressive towards outsiders they see as threatening their land but it's a common misconception that they eat people who are killed. There may be tribes that do that but the cannibal tribes around the south Pacific generally conform to this rule (yes, I've met a few in my travels).

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greenkingtone added 17:45 - Jun 6 These islanders are not to be taken lightly. They are not intimidated by the white man and expect to win every game, having no perception of how clever our over valued sportsmen are. In New Zealand soccer is a minority sport and regarded rather like we regard hockey. The islanders play it for fun and are hard to beat. In Fiji soccer used to be played only by Indians and the natives played Rugby. When the Fijians started moving into soccer they dominated the game. Hence Tommy Smith's team have a job to score more than one goal. Its a tough old game in the heat and humidity with the islanders taking no prisoners. It'll do Tommy the world of good.

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Mungo added 20:05 - Jun 6 Apparently New Caledonia scored 17 goals in their 3 group games, so Tommy might have a bit to do on Friday!
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