New Zealand 2 - Tahiti 0

Photo by Federation Tahitienne de Football employee

Tahiti kicked off their home match in Pirae against New Zealand twenty-six hours after the other OFC Third Round Matchday Three match but on the same date.  Such occurrences only are seen in Oceania, where the International Date Line plays tricks with the schedule.  Tahiti were showing good skill on the ball, but as always the no-nonsense Kiwis were nonplussed.  A free kick for the Kiwis turned into a mad scramble in the box.  Following an initial save, the rebound happened to spill to the far post for a Shane Smeltz tap-in and a New Zealand lead.  The halftime score was 1-0 to the visitors.

In the second period, a Leo Bertos blocked shot a Tahiti shot to preserve the lead.  Later, striker Chris Wood shook Angelo Tchen and fought off a second Tahiti defender before blowing his shot well over the crossbar.  With under ten minutes to play, New Zealand turned a corner kick into 2-0 when Tony Lochhead's ball was volleyed goalward by Ben Sigmund.  Tchen stuck his foot out but only managed to turn the ball into the side net, angering his goalkeeper who may have been able to save had Tchen not interfered.  New Zealand win 2-0 to regain the lead in the OFC Third Round group.  The return match between Tahiti and the Kiwis will take place in four days' time on the calendar, but in three days' time in reality as the scene shifts forward a day.  Anything short of a win for Tahiti and they will be eliminated from Brasil 2014.

New Zealand 9 pts +9
New Caledonia 6 pts +6
Solomon Islands 3 pts -7
Tahiti 0 pts -8

Goals
New Zealand
Shane Smeltz 24
Ben Sigmund 82

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/4c05d9b8-e59c-46f8-ae29-c6f6fbde893f/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/7fe19fa5-1ea4-46ae-9356-ff3bd0622f01/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JmP7VARXW8&feature=g-all-u