New Zealand 3 - Tahiti 0; New Caledonia 5 - Solomon Islands 0

Photo by Martin Hunter

Christchurch was the scene as hosts New Zealand were looking for a win that would eliminate visiting Tahiti from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  A nervy start from Tahiti saw a couple of poor passes at the back lead to a turnover that gave the All Whites an opening chance.  Chris Killen's initial shot was blocked, but Michael McGlinchey finished far post from the half circle, putting New Zealand up a goal within three minutes.  The half ended with the hosts up 1-0.

The second period continued the trend of few attacking possibilities. Only in the final minute of regulation did the scoreline change again. A Kosta Barbarouses (pictured, white) shot was spilled by Tahiti goalkeeper Mikael Roche, and Killen was there to tap home the rebound immediately over the offside protests of the Tahitian defenders.  In stoppage time, a long rebound off a good save rolled out to McGlinchey who floated a curling ball from the half circle into the upper ninety for the finishing touch.  New Zealand win 3-0 to remain top of the group, and in the process Tahiti have been eliminated from Brasil 2014.

With the earlier result in New Zealand, Solomon Islands knew that anything less than a win would eliminate them from Brasil 2014.  Their hosts New Caledonia were none too sympathetic, and they did not provide very much hospitality in Noumea.  A throw-in at the five-minute mark led to a break down the right flank by Bertrand Kai, who hit a cross to George Gope-Fenepej.  Gope-Fenepej headed in before the goalkeeper could touch the ball away, giving Les Cagous a 1-0 lead.  It took only seven minutes for New Caledonia to find the second, with Roy Kayara making a solo run through the middle of the defense, shaking the two center backs with a juke, and dribbling around the goalkeeper before finishing into an open net.  On the half hour mark, Les Cagous found through a wonder strike from Iamel Kabeu.  The ball had fallen loose after a blocked shot twenty-five yards from goal, so the oncoming Kabeu fired first-time off the bottom of the crossbar in the upper ninety.  On the stroke of halftime, Cesar Loholea made it four with a chip goal from eighteen yards over a caught-out goalkeeper.  Les Cagous took the 4-0 lead into the break.

The majority of the second half saw little action.  Georges Bearune, a late substitute for Les Cagous, made a long cross that floated over the Bonitos' back line and into the airspace of Loholea, who volleyed the cross into the goal from sixteen yards to finish the scoring.  New Caledonia win 5-0 to eliminate the Solomon Islands from Brasil 2014.  New Caledonia next play New Zealand in March in a match that may very well decide the group championship.

New Zealand 12 pts +12
New Caledonia 9 pts +11
Solomon Islands OUT
Tahiti OUT

Goals
New Zealand
Michael McGlinchey 3, 90+4
Chris Killen 90

New Caledonia
Georges Gope-Fenepej 5
Roy Kayara 12
Iamel Kabeu 31
Cesar Loholea 45, 90

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/415784f3-4589-48aa-aeee-411d0a0422e5/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/7823580/All-Whites-too-good-for-Tahiti
http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/football/230666/football-all-whites-take-scrappy-win-over-tahiti
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/0b0b60d7-0622-4686-80b6-16932e895f67/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/785bf075-52ef-438a-aba9-56ce291dd8e9/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T-mwC4_3X4 (New Zealand v. Tahiti)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLppeCJxm0k&feature=g-all-u (New Caledonia v. Solomon Islands)