New Zealand v New Caledonia: All Whites secure large win in World Cup qualifier Andrew Voerman07:55, Mar 25 2022 5 Play Unmute Current Time 1:40 / Duration 4:41 Loaded: 59.83% Fullscreen SKY SPORT The All Whites eased past New Caledonia to set up a semifinal against Tahiti at the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament. Alex Greive scored a brace in his first start for the All Whites as they set up a semifinal against Tahiti at the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament in Qatar. The St Mirren forward netted ether side of a Logan Rogerson penalty in the first half at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, setting New Zealand up for a 7-1 win over New Caledonia – their largest in 18 years. Coach Danny Hay made nine changes to the starting XI from the All Whites’ 4-0 win over Fiji and handed goalkeeper Jamie Searle a debut. please log in to view this image TOM KIRKWOOD/PHOTOSPORT Alex Greive celebrates after scoring his first All Whites goal against New Caledonia. The Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea will meet in the other semifinal, after finishing first in group A and second in group B respectively. READ MORE: * All Whites out to build momentum against New Caledonia in World Cup qualifying * Vaughan Coveny salutes Chris Wood after breaking his All Whites goal scoring record * Chris Wood's top five goals – and the rest from his record-breaking All Whites haul * 'It means a lot': Chris Wood creates history with 30th goal for All Whites Greive’s first goal came after eight minutes when he finished a Joey Champness cross from the right with a back heel from point-blank range. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff MORE FROM ANDREW VOERMAN • SPORTS REPORTER [email protected] But while the early goal would have settled any nerves for what was largely a second-string lineup, they conceded just four minutes later, when Jean-Philippe Saïko headed home a Joris Kenon cross from the right. Centre back Nikko Boxall failed to challenge Saïko, whose effort went past Searle’s despairing dive and was the first goal the All Whites had conceded all tournament. Despite the setback, they continued to dominate possession and fashion chances, though it took until the 35th minute for them to regain the lead, after Greive was brought down in the box by Vincent Vakié. It was Rogerson that took the ensuing penalty, scoring his first senior international goal. Greive added a second in the second minute of stoppage time, pouncing when Vakié slipped trying to cover a long ball forward from Tommy Smith, the All Whites’ captain in the absence of Winston Reid and Chris Wood. Hay was able to bring Joe Bell, Liberato Cacace, and Bill Tuiloma off the bench for their first minutes of the tournament, as well as Wood and Andre de Jong. After Bell released fullback Tim Payne down the right, Wood was set up for a shot that was saved by New Caledonian goalkeeper Jean-Gilles Hnamuko and fell into the path of de Jong, who made it 4-1. Tuiloma and Wood – twice – then scored themselves as the All Whites’ secured their biggest win in Oceania since Australia’s departure from the region in 2006. It was their largest full stop since they beat Tahiti 10-0 in 2004. please log in to view this image FIRST DROPCricket news and views from the boundary edge and beyond.Subscribe for free The big moment The All Whites weren’t exactly in trouble, leading 2-1 in the second minute of stoppage time, but Vakié’s slip and Greive’s composed finish allowed them to take a two-goal lead into the break. The buffer meant they were never seriously going to be challenged in the second half. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff Where the match was won Getting the ball to them wasn’t always easy for a makeshift All Whites lineup that lacked fluidity at times, especially in midfield, but Champness, Greive, and Rogerson all had pace to make New Caledonia pay once they were released in behind. Player of the day Greive impressed with his movement and his finishing in his first senior international start and could well have played his way into a semifinal start. If he’d taken the penalty he’d won, he could have finished with a hat-trick. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Full coverage please log in to view this image please log in to view this image The big picture A third win in three to complete the group stage and no damage in the form of injury or suspension was all the All Whites needed out of this one. They now face Tahiti in the semifinals [kickoff Monday 6.30am NZ time] looking to set up a decider against the Solomon Islands or Papua New Guinea three days later. The Solomon Islands beat Tahiti 3-1 thanks to a hat-trick from former Wellington Phoenix academy player Raphael Lea’i to top group A, while Papua New Guinea beat 10-man Fiji 2-1 to finish second in group B behind the All Whites. Scoring details All Whites 7 (Alex Greive 8’, 45’+2, Logan Rogerson 35’, Andre de Jong 74’, Bill Tuiloma 81’, Chris Wood 83’, 90’) New Caledonia 1 (Jean-Philippe Saïko 12’). HT: 3-1 All Whites advance to semifinals to play Tahiti [kickoff Monday 6.30am NZ time]
The Canadian juggernaut faltered last night. (Canadian juggernaut?? I never thought to live so long as to write those words). Best chance is Sunday against Jamaica, in Toronto but should we lose both remaining games and we could finish 4th and end up with road to Qatar passing through Wellington. But Costa Rica finishes against the US and would need another massive effort from their guys to defeat them.Anything short of a win would result in Canada going to Qatar without that trip to NZ. Personally, I would like to go to NZ, but not for football - just to be a tourist
You are aware that Kiwi's sightseeing tour consists solely of lapdancing clubs and dingey bars aren't you ? Good luck and hope you win !
Non-league day today, in the National League promotion chasing Wrexham 2-0 up v already relegated Dover who then went 5-2 up. Wrexham pulled it back to 5-5 in the 91st minute and won it 6-5 in the 97th minute. Sounds like value for money...
