Coach plays waiting game on Smith injury
The All Whites’ medical staff will assess Tommy Smith’s calf throughout the week, after he came off with an injury against Peru.
Smith left the field after suffering the calf issue midway through the second half of New Zealand’s 0-0 draw in the first leg of their World Cup intercontinental playoff.
After the match, Smith limped through the mixed zone, and said he’s playing a game of wait and see.
‘‘I just felt my calf, so, time will tell,’’ Smith said of the injury. ‘‘Compress it, ice it tonight, and then assess it in the morning.’’
Andrew Durante was the man who came on to replace Smith, moving to the right shoulder of Winston Reid in defence, while Michael Boxall moved to the left where Smith had been patrolling.
Yesterday, coach Anthony Hudson said Smith had pulled up well yesterday, and would travel with the team to Lima.
He was hopeful Smith would be recovered in time for the second leg.
It would be a big loss if he isn’t, given the shift Smith put in alongside Reid and Boxall at the back. They were tactically smart, and restricted striker Jefferson Farfan to only the occasional touch.
‘‘I thought he was very quiet,’’ Smith said of Farfan. ‘‘To keep a clean sheet, the aim of the game was to go into the away leg still in the tie.
‘‘The game plan worked. It would have been nice if one of those half chances had gone in, but we’re quietly confident.’’
That’s something you can tell from this team. There was no celebration at the final whistle, having held the world’s 10th best side to a goalless draw. Instead, the players appeared focused on the task at hand.
The focus immediately turned to Lima, where a win or a score draw would send the All Whites to Russia.
The pressure, the players believe, is all on Peru.
You sensed that in the final 15 minutes when Chris Wood’s introduction tested the Peruvian back four, and New Zealand had their best spell as they hunted for a goal.
‘‘Obviously we’ve got different strike options who offer different things,’’ Smith said of the strike force.
‘‘Woodsy is always going to be one of our main threats. He plays in the Premier League and scores goals in the Premier League, so it was great that he could come on and he hasn’t felt any ill effects of the hamstrings.’’
Whether he’s there or not, Smith said the job is only half done.
‘‘The most important part is still to come. We all have to be on our mettle and be on our guard for the away leg.’’