New zealand national team, They qualified for the Inter continental play-off round for the third time in a row after beating Solomon Islands, 5-0 in the 2022 World Cup qualifying round Oceania. final round at Al-Arabi Stadium, Doha.
From the start, it was a vastly different game from the semi-final, with the Solomon Islands showing more attacking intent in the first five minutes than Tahiti managed in the entire semifinal.
They were neat in the final third – showing their technical ability on the ball – and carved out two decent early chances.
New Zealand looked dangerous out wide, through Rogerson and Greive, though the St Mirren striker copped some heavy treatment early on.
The All Whites got their vital early goal in the 23rd minute, with Tuiloma rising high at the far post. They had a pronounced height advantage, and the spring heeled defender rose well to meet a pinpoint Bell corner.
Pijnaker had the ball in the net a few minutes later, from another corner, though the goal was scratched for a Rogerson foul on keeper Mango, which looked a tough call.
Any anxiety over that decision was quickly forgotten, before Wood extended New Zealand’s advantage just before halftime. It was a textbook goal, with a raking ball releasing Payne on the right, who found an unmarked Wood in the six yard box, with the Newcastle striker burying his header.
Wood was denied by a strong Mango save early in the second spell, before the keeper completely misjudged a Bell corner, allowing it to sail directly into the net.
That released any remaining doubt – and took the sting out of the Pacific team – though Leai drew a strong block from Marinovic, after showing lovely skill to beat two defenders.
Wood looked to have notched his second, following a nice move involving Bell and Rogerson, but the goal was chalked off after a VAR check.
There were further chances – with Wood denied by a vital last-ditch tackle – before Tuiloma grabbed his second, with another well time lead at the far post, as defenders stood and watched.
Subsititute Matt Garbett completed the scoring in injury time, slotting home after an Andre de Jong layoff in the box.
New zealand national team, qualified for the Inter continental play-off round VS the 4th rank team from the CONCACAF on 13/14 June 2022.
Credit Photo : New Zealand Football
