Kiwis abroad: Nelsen makes R’s run-on debut

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen has made his competitive debut for QPR in the League Cup overnight, logging the full 90 minutes for his new club.

Ryan Nelsen FIFA via Getty

August 29, 2012

AUCKLAND – All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen has made his competitive debut for QPR in the League Cup overnight, logging the full 90 minutes for his new club.

The R’s defeated League One outfit Walsall in round two action just days after recording their first points in the Premier League.  Nelsen left the field bloodied before half time but returned to see out the match.

The news will no doubt please All Whites coach Ricki Herbert who must have had some concerns after his skipper failed to take the field in QPR’s first two outings against Swansea and Norwich.

Tommy Smith, Nelsen’s defensive partner at the Olympic Games, rounded out a disappointing few days with Ipswich Town knocked out 1-2 by Carlisle United in extra time.  It was the Tractor Boys’ second successive defeat after falling 0-6 at Blackpool in their weekend Championship match.

Winston Reid was rested for West Ham as they travelled to Crewe Alexandra, the Hammers recorded a 2-0 win to advance to the third round.

In Athens, Panathiniakos were held to a goalless draw by Malaga in UEFA Champions League playoff action.  The Greek powerhouse was eliminated 0-2 on aggregate with Kosta Barbarouses missing from the team card after making his debut over the weekend.

The result also denied Barbarouses the opportunity to become the latest New Zealander to play in the competition with recent kiwis including Danny Hay (Leeds, England), Chris James (Tampere, Finland), Chris Killen (Celtic, Scotland) and Greg Draper (TNS, Wales).