New Zealand 2 - New Caledonia 1

Photo by Teaukura Moetaua

Dunedin was the site of the effective deciding match of the OFC Third Round. If New Zealand could defeat New Caledonia at home, then New Zealand would clinch the OFC berth in the intercontinental playoffs. However, if New Caledonia were to win, they would be level on points with New Zealand, but the Caledonians would have the edge on goal differential. A draw would leave New Zealand needing a point in the last round to clinch advancement.  New Zealand looked like winning after an early corner kick resulted in a header from six yards that was nodded home by Chris Killen.  New Zealand held that 1-0 lead and the Oceania intercontinental playoff berth going into the break.

Ten minutes after the restart, Les Cagous were on level terms.  A long, floated ball from Georges Gope-Fenepej was chested by Cesar Loholea in the Kiwi penalty area, and the ball dropped perfectly to Loholea for a volleyed finish.  With one minute remaining in regulation, a high boot from Joel Wakanumune cut open Shane Smeltz's head, leaving the All Whites striker on the ground bleeding.  The referee chose not to mark the foul (or produce a card), which would have resulted in a penalty.  New Zealand would have their revenge in stoppage time, however, as a looping header from Tommy Smith on a jump ball found its parabolic path over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.  With the 2-1 victory, New Zealand win the OFC intercontinental playoff berth and New Caledonia are eliminated.

New Zealand 15 pts IN
New Caledonia OUT
Solomon Islands OUT
Tahiti OUT

Goals:
New Zealand
Chris Killen 10
Tommy Smith 90+4

New Caledonia
Cesar Loholea 56

Match Reports:
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/db55c249-3fca-40e6-ad51-a07a842615bb/language/en-US/Default.aspx
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2040074/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_2
http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/0f7326a9-7b9c-44c8-96fc-eecbb5e5dae1/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Luz_aYWe-us