Club over country for Smith
It will be a kick in the guts for his teammates but Tommy Smith is taking a year off international football because the former All Whites captain believes it will give him the best shot of breaking into the English Premier League.
The Ipswich Town defender was the glaring omission in the 18-man squad named yesterday for the September 8 clash with Uzbekistan in Tashkent in what will be new coach Anthony Hudson’s first game in charge.
The 24-year-old led New Zealand in November’s World Cup qualifiers against Mexico but has not pulled on the white shirt since, skipping this year’s internationals against Japan and South Africa.
Interim coach Neil Emblen, who selected the squad as Hudson waits on a work visa, listened to Smith’s rationale for a 12-month self-imposed exile over the weekend.
‘‘Every time he puts on the shirt he is proud but he’s saying he wants to be a Premier League footballer,’’ Emblen said.
‘‘He feels the best way he can achieve that is by playing well for Ipswich and resting in the international windows so he can prepare well for their next fixture. If Ipswich don’t get promoted to the Premier League then Tommy feels he needs to have an unbelievable season to get looked at by other clubs.
‘‘Whether he can do both, whether he’s being selfish, it’s no-one’s decision but his own. It’s not a great situation but he’s got his reasons and you don’t want a player who’s not fully committed. You can’t knock someone for being ambitious but on the other hand you look at people like Mark Schwarzer who has played 100 games for Australia and always did the travel. There’s arguments every way.’’
The news was brighter elsewhere as New Zealand’s other big England-based guns, Winston Reid and Chris Wood, both return after missing May’s 0-0 draw with South Africa. Goalkeeper Glen Moss captained the country in Reid’s absence this year and Hudson will choose his skipper after assessing their leadership qualities at a pregame camp in Qatar.
Moss has said he is happy to hand the armband back to the West Ham United star.
‘‘Hopefully Anthony’s visa comes through and he can see Winston and Glen working with the group and decide,’’ Emblen said.
‘‘I’ve had a couple of really good meetings with Anthony. I’ve been stimulated by the way he talks about the game and how he wants it played. Hopefully he will want me long term.’’
Back-up goalkeeper was a tight call, with incumbent Tamati Williams getting the nod.
Shane Smeltz was omitted as the Sydney FC striker works his way back to full fitness, while Emblen admitted he’d love to be able to select Spaniard Albert Riera, the 30-year-old Wellington Phoenix midfielder.