Tommy Smith’s New Zealand crashed out of the Oceania Nations Cup at the semi-final stage after a shock 2-0 defeat to New Caledonia overnight. The result means the All Whites are through to the third round of World Cup qualifying but miss out on a lucrative place in next summer’s Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Smith, winning his 15th full cap, tasted defeat as an international captain for the first time as Bertrand Kai and Georges Gope-Fenepe netted in the 60th and 90th minutes.

The 22-year-old tweeted his reaction to the loss: "Very disappointing result and performance. We will bounce back and learn from this experience and be a stronger squad for it.

"Need to make sure we nail third spot and then regroup for the next stage of qualifiers. Conditions will favour us more in a home and away competition.

"Thanks for all the support from both NZ and England, it's all greatly appreciated and we will give you all something to cheer about!"

The All Whites missed plenty of chances in what was their first defeat to the Pacific island for 36 years, a result which the New Zealand press says is the worst of coach Ricki Herbert's eight-year spell in charge.

Smith’s side now take on hosts the Solomon Islands — with whom they drew 1-1 in the group stages — in Sunday’s third-place play-off.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

BLUEBEAT added 08:57 - Jun 8 shouldn't this be titled 'Smith Skippers All-Whites To Defeat'???
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bontcho added 09:14 - Jun 8 That is a pretty damn shocking defeat. Lucky the rugby boys are playing tomorrow so very few people in NZ will notice!
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cooper4england added 09:15 - Jun 8 @Bluebeat-why?
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backinbeige added 09:32 - Jun 8 I think bluebeat is commenting on the fact that every other news story has included in the headline 'Smith Skippers...'
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ITFCOYB added 10:13 - Jun 8 Sorry to hear that Tommy- i suppose that means fewer International games though- which can't be bad for ITFC. Chin up, lad.
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Mungo added 10:34 - Jun 8 Bad luck Tommy! Think the New Caledonian's adapted better to the humid conditions (17 goals scored in the group stages!) Just goes to show that the underdog can always cause an upset in the right circumstances...
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urbanpenguin added 11:25 - Jun 8 "Just goes to show that the underdog can always cause an upset in the right circumstances... " So, England have a small chance then?
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bobble added 12:16 - Jun 8 they expected the Old Caledonia to turn up and were tricked !
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Crock added 13:16 - Jun 8 LOL @New Zealand
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BuckieBlue added 18:11 - Jun 8 bobble- that is one of the funniest comments I've seen on here, thanks.
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Texaco73 added 19:37 - Jun 8 All whites.....Smith skipper's......ZZzzzzzzzzzz
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JewellintheTown added 19:54 - Jun 8 Hands up if you had to Google "New Caledonia".
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legoman added 20:19 - Jun 8 Good!
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runningout added 00:30 - Jun 9 embarrassing loss.. Smith has been used to them of late in a blue shirt : /
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KiwiBlue2 added 05:02 - Jun 9 Yes a bad result. Notwithstanding the humidity and what looked like a rugby field we squandered several chances to score and should have done much better. Reminds me of Town's result against Peterborough ..........
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billlm added 08:09 - Jun 9 all of a sudden no speculation i feel some one has a cob on over recent criticism
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