Tommy Smith rued New Zealand’s lack of fire power after yesterday’s exit from the World Cup. The All Whites drew all three of their matches, ending with a 0-0 stalemate against group winners Paraguay, their games with Slovakia and Italy having finished 1-1.

Smith said: “I think we’re a team that showed a lot of defensive quality, but it’s a shame we couldn’t score more goals.

“We’re a bit sad about missing out on the next round, but of course it’s been positive overall. We had some good chances [against Paraguay] but we couldn’t put them away. I think the fact that they didn’t attack us more is down to the work we did in defence.”

The 20-year-old admitted to being “a bit gutted” at his side's campaign coming to an end, but felt that he, like his team-mates, had grown “as a player as well as a person” during the competition.

Little had been expected of New Zealand but their impressive performances left Smith disappointed that they didn’t make the knockout stages: ”I’m just sad it’s had to come to an end early in the competition.”

The Blues defender was in no doubt about the competition’s highlight: “It would have to be the 1-1 draw with Italy. That stands out for me. Playing the world champions and getting a result against them was brilliant.”

Smith hopes the experience of South Africa will be good for football in New Zealand and for his own career progress: "More and more kids are taking up football and that can only be good for the development of the game in New Zealand.

"For me personally, I think playing in the World Cup has improved me as a player and I hope that will help me to establish myself in the Ipswich side.

"I have already had a few messages from some of the Ipswich lads saying well done but I'm sure I will get some stick from them when I get back as well."

Smith is now set for a holiday and has been given extra time off to recover from the World Cup before he returns for pre-season with Town. The rest of the squad will be back at Playford Road on Monday.

An interview with Smith can be found on the NZ Herald’s website here.

Photo: Action Images

marcusevans added 09:12 - Jun 25 Well done Tommy. You are a credit to Ipswich Town Football Club
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CaptainObvious added 09:25 - Jun 25 Swans into the side taking some guy's place who had got them there, and then starts criticising his own forwards!
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BseaBlue added 09:30 - Jun 25 CAPOV - Are you serious? Stevie Wonder gives a better view on football than you!
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hype313 added 09:36 - Jun 25 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10654167 interview with Tommy..
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ShortBlue added 09:45 - Jun 25 it's called parking the bus. if NZ had shown more attacking intent they would have lost every game, def info
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JayITFC added 09:55 - Jun 25 From the Tommy Smith interview link above: "English footballers are known for fancy cars. What car do you drive and is it pimped out? I'm driving a Mercedes CLC 200 It's just the standard issue. Ipswich is a bit more upmarket than Liverpool so I don't have to worry about driving it around and drawing attention to myself." LMAO!
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Moots_Ranuva added 10:01 - Jun 25 "They call me Milky" Sure we can fit Milky into a chant for Tommy?...
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Redmond added 11:37 - Jun 25 Moots_Ranuva good idea but a bit strange :L
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Moots_Ranuva added 12:22 - Jun 25 To "That's not my name" by the Ting Tings... They call him Tommy They call him Milky He is all white He is all blue He's Tommy Smith He's Tommy Smith He's Tommy Smith He's Tommy Smith (repeat the lot)
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IpswichElvis added 12:49 - Jun 25 Well done Tommy lad !!!! Have a holiday - you have enjoyed it. Keano's "boot camp" will be waiting for you when you come back........
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generalpublic added 13:42 - Jun 25 we are hiace people .......ourselves.......well done NZ tommy and hard cheese to those diving woosy overpaid italian gobsh-tes hope you get the greeting at home you deserve.you cheated like france when you won the last world cup..when are we going to get real referees who are willing to send of the big name players when they cheat ?...fifa your competition and seeding of stronger nations is a joke..without your meddling and fixing of groups over the who knows who would have been the real world champions of a free unfixed untampered open draw.....shame shame nothing can no longer be with out moneys corrupting influence

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WadzillaBhoy added 14:38 - Jun 25 Glad Italy are out, they were lucky to get a point off you Tommy. Well done Tommy you have done yourself and all of ITFC proud.
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IpswichElvis added 15:00 - Jun 25 Not too upset to see the French and the Italians booted out in the group stages. I hope someone sticks it to the Argies and we beat the Germans though. Although, England have flattered to deceive and scraped through a woefully poor group but if they can't raise their game against Germany.............
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Blue4life added 17:55 - Jun 25 Shame we Couldnt score more goals, hmmmm That sounds FAMILIAR!! lol *coughs* ipswich haha
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generalpublic added 06:58 - Jun 26 my sentiments exactly now who do those words remind me of.. was it in a hollywood movie or a famous poem ?or was a well worn out excuse from last season used by someone we all know and admire not...
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MVBlue added 12:49 - Jun 26 Up the town! Tommy did well. This should give him much confidence.
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BlueFinn added 13:57 - Jun 26 I hope Tommy can now continue from where he got to. Man of the Match against Paraguay according to Daily Mirror.
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