Blues defender Tommy Smith said it was an “unbelievable honour” to captain New Zealand for the first time as he led his side to a 2-2 friendly draw with El Salvador in Houston overnight. The 22-year-old took the armband in the absence of regular skipper Ryan Nelsen and could soon be named the Tottenham man’s vice-captain and likely successor.

After the game Smith, the youngest skipper in New Zealand history, tweeted: “Such a proud moment for me tonight. To play for the national team is one thing, but to captain the side is an unbelievable honour. Thanks to [coach] Ricki [Herbert] for giving me such a fantastic honour!”

Smith, who was born in Macclesfield but lived in New Zealand between the ages of eight and 16, was winning his 10th full cap.

The All Whites goals came from debutant Auckland City defender Ian Hogg and striker Kosta Barbarouses, a team-mate of former Blue Tamás Priskin at Russian side Alania Vladikavkaz.

Coach Herbert will appoint a new permanent vice-captain to Nelsen once his squad has arrived in the Solomon Islands for their Oceania Nations Cup matches next week.

The veteran Tottenham centre-half is currently injured and is unavailable for the friendlies and the games in the Solomon Islands, which double as World Cup qualifying matches, meaning his newly-appointed deputy will wear the armband during the tournament.

Smith and West Ham’s Winston Reid, who joins up with the squad after the matches in the US, are candidates for the vice-captaincy.

New Zealand take on Honduras in another friendly in Dallas on Saturday with Smith again set to skipper.

The All Whites then travel to the Solomon Islands for the Oceania Nations Cup where they take on Fiji (June 2nd), Papua New Guinea (June 4th) and the hosts (June 6th) with all the matches played in the capital Honiara.

Smith is also expected to be in the New Zealand U23 squad — the Oly Whites - who play Belarus, Brazil and Egypt at the Olympics later in the summer, matches which mean he will miss much of the Blues’ pre-season programme.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

taylor15 added 08:26 - May 24 f•ck*ng quality! nice on mate. hope he is first team next year still!
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alfromcol added 08:49 - May 24 Well done Tommy, what a turn round this season. From despair to Captain of a nations football team Well done mate and may you have a terrific 2012/13 season for Town
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:51 - May 24 Well done Tommy! You've shown great character to come through a lot of injury as a youth player and a lot of turbulence when things weren't going all that well at times last season. You will go from strength to strength - hopefully with us!
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FenboyBlue added 09:19 - May 24 Marvellous. It'd never crossed my mind that Tommy could be captain material. Future Ipswich captain, perhaps ?
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Marcus added 09:39 - May 24 Perhaps he's our next chance for a testimonial player. Not many candidates. I don't think Peters will get one.
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KiwiBlue2 added 10:15 - May 24 Great stuff. I hope Jewell gives him every opportunity next season to cement an ongoing place as first choice cb and that the late start for him when he returns does not disrupt his chances.
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afrodids added 10:48 - May 24 well done smithy :) get a experienced right sided CB along side him and we should be fairly solid at the back. onwards and upwards. COYB
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Guthrum added 12:02 - May 24 A national team captain in the ranks of ITFC - and possibly the youngest ever for that country - excellent news and very well done Tommy Smith!
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saffronblue added 12:28 - May 24 Nice to see one of our own doing well, being Captain will only help his development, maybe a Town captain of the future. As usuala positive story gets no comment from the fans.
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Lightningboy added 13:15 - May 24 Rock on Tommy!
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idrinkbeer added 15:17 - May 24 fantastic news, congratulations tommy! keep up the hard work, could be an important player for town over the next couple of seasons
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Strikes added 16:45 - May 24 During the earlier part of last season I commented to friends that I didn't think he was up to Championship level but since then he's completely proved me wrong. Good on him. Potential is there for him to be a Town great.
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Tractorcookie added 18:18 - May 24 Great news - delighted for him after a bad start to the season. This will do wonders for his confidence and hopefully cement his place in the first team next year. Just hope he doesnt get injured......
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Talbs77 added 20:50 - May 24 Well done Tommy hopefully this will help him become the player we all think he can become.
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Sindre94 added 23:53 - May 24 well done!
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harlingblue added 01:02 - May 25 Great stuff Tommy, you can now feel at ease back here at Ipswich and continue were you left off during the latter part of the season. Played in the World Cup, Captain of your International team...sounds like a flash back to some of our great teams?
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