Soccer: Vice-captain's no-show in Tokyo

The All Whites have concerns over the future of vice-captain Tommy Smith, who asked not to be considered for selection. Photo / Getty

Commitment questioned after All Whites defender Tommy Smith chooses club over country.

The collateral damage inflicted by the defeat to Mexico in last year's World Cup playoff runs deeper than the 9-3 aggregate scoreline and it was reflected in yesterday's naming of the squad to face Japan in Tokyo next month.

Missing from the squad that played El Tri are Leo Bertos, Tony Lochhead, Rory Fallon and Jeremy Christie - as well as Chris Killen, who was injured - and doubt surrounds their place in the side. But there are also concerns over the future of vice-captain Tommy Smith, who asked not to be considered so he can concentrate on helping his English Championship side, Ipswich, win promotion to the Premier League.

It might seem a reasonable request, but when viewed alongside his threat to quit international football last year on the eve of the Mexico playoff because of his wish to assemble a day later than required for that match, it raises questions about his commitment to the All Whites.

Players from other clubs are also chasing promotion or a place in the playoffs, including Chris Wood at Leicester and those at the Wellington Phoenix, and they also need to travel long distances.

There is considerable angst in and around the All Whites. A number of senior players feel let down over preparations and planning for the last World Cup campaign and believe there needs to be a culture change.

A lot of that will come down to who takes over from Ricki Herbert as All Whites coach. A replacement isn't likely to be installed until the September international window. New Zealand Football, who are presently reviewing the most recent campaign, aren't in any hurry to make an appointment and will advertise the position internationally.

Neil Emblen, who has been assistant since February 2011 and took the Olympic side at the London Games, will oversee the team against Japan. Yesterday he named an 18-man squad for the game which signalled a new era. There were nine players under 25, including three teenagers, and most could be expected to play a significant role in the next World Cup campaign.

Regular captain Winston Reid was missing because he is still working his way back to full fitness at West Ham after a troubling ankle injury and Ivan Vicelich last week retired from international football. Goalkeeper Glen Moss will captain the side in Reid's absence.

Emblen was comfortable about Smith skipping the match but said it was a risk.

"I'm sympathetic to Tommy's situation," Emblen said. "His club agreed to release him but Tommy feels this is an opportunity to prioritise his club who are fighting for promotion for the first time in a while.

"You either want to play and make the effort to come back like all the other boys or you run the risk of someone else playing well."

Emblen is treating the match as something of a trial for himself. "I have an opportunity to prove to people I can do the job now."

NZ's rising sons

All Whites squad to play Japan in Tokyo on March 5:
Glen Moss (c - Phoenix), Jacob Spoonley (Team Wellington), Ben Sigmund (Phoenix), Bill Tuiloma (Olympique Marseille), Storm Roux (Central Coast), Michael Boxall (Phoenix), Andrew Durante (Phoenix), Michael McGlinchey (Vegalta Sendai), Chris James (unattached), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle), Tim Payne (Blackburn), Cameron Howieson (Burnley), Tyler Boyd (Phoenix), Shane Smeltz (Perth), Marco Rojas (Vfb Stuttgart), Jeremy Brockie (Phoenix), Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory), Chris Wood (Leicester).