QPR defeated League One outfit Walsall 3-0 in round two action just days after getting off the mark in the Premier League with a 1-1 draw against Norwich.
Nelsen left the field bloodied before half-time after suffering a knock to the face 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 of the Premier League.
Tommy Smith, Nelsen’s defensive partner at the Olympic Games, rounded out a disappointing few days with Ipswich Town knocked out of the cup 2-1 by Carlisle United in extra-time.
It was the Tractor Boys’ second successive defeat after falling 6-0 at Blackpool in their weekend Championship match.
Winston Reid was rested for West Ham United as they travelled to Crewe Alexandra and recorded a 2-0 win to advance to the third round.
In Athens, Panathinaikos were held to a goalless draw by Malaga in UEFA Champions League play-off action. The Greek powerhouse was eliminated 2-0 on aggregate with Kosta Barbarouses missing from the team card after making his debut over the weekend.
The result denied Barbarouses the opportunity to become the latest New Zealander to play in the competition after the appearances of Danny Hay (Leeds United, England), Chris James (Tampere, Finland), Chris Killen (Celtic, Scotland) and Greg Draper (TNS, Wales) in recent seasons.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

Share