New Zealand have booked themselves a place at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa tournament with two matches to spare after a workmanlike 3-1 away win over New Caledonia propelled them to an uncatchable lead in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Nations Cup.
They have also kept themselves in the frame for a shot at World Cup glory by qualifying to meet the fifth placed Asian qualifier in a home and away playoff to reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
The All Whites presented their credentials as the best team in Oceania with a controlled performance in Noumea tonight though they suffered a brief scare when New Caledonia equalised ten minutes into the second half.
Riki Herbert’s All Whites generally had the measure of a mercurial but inconsistent home team.
New Zealand settled early thanks to a 15th minute opener from Ben Sigmund – his first goal at this level. He tapped home from close range after a Simon Elliot corner was directed back toward him by Shane Smeltz
The New Caledonia equaliser was far more mesmerising. Michale Hmae strode through the New Zealand defence and finished off a swift attack with a clinical finish past an on rushing Glen Moss.
But while a draw would have been enough for New Zealand to win the group, they continued to attack. They were rewarded when Jarrod Smith initiated an enterprising move down the left flank in the 65th minute. His deep cross to the far post was cleverly headed square by Jeremy Brockie and Shane Smeltz was on hand to ram the ball home from six metres.
In the 76th minute New Zealand gave themselves a margin of safety when Smeltz conjured up as superb striker’s goal. Running across goal on the edge of the area he received a short ball in from Elliot, took two touches and smashed the ball into the roof of the net from 15 metres.
While New Caledonia made sporadic second half raids they were never able to gain the cohesion needed to penetrate a composed New Zealand back four anchored by Ryan Nelsen.
The game was played in 30 degree heat and took its toll on New Zealand most notably when Jarrod Smith cramped up in the final minutes.
For New Zealand it takes the pressure off when the two teams meet again at North Harbour Stadium on Wednesday night.
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA ™ QUALIFIERS STANDINGS
| PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
PTS |
||
| 1. |
New Zealand |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
4 |
+7 |
12 |
| 2. |
New Caledonia |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
12 |
7 |
+5 |
8 |
| 4. |
Fiji |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
9 |
-4 |
4 |
| 3. |
Vanuatu |
5 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
12 |
-9 |
1 |
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifier
NEW ZEALAND 3 (B.Sigmund, S. Smeltz (2)) vs. NEW CALEDONIA 1 (M.Hmae)
15H00 (NCL T) – 6 September 2008
Stade Numa Daly – Noumea – New Caledonia
NZL: 18-Glen MOSS (GK), 2-David MULLIGAN, 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Simon ELLIOTT, 5-Ben SIGMUND, 6-Ryan NELSEN, 8-Duncan OUGHTON, 9-Jeremy BROCKIE; 10-Shane SMELTZ, 11-Jarrod SMITH (16-Chris JAMES 90+2),17-Allan PEARCE (15. Jeremy CHRISTIE 57’)
Substitutes not used: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 12-Andrew BOYENS, 13-Steven OLD, 7-Leo BERTOS
Not available: 14-Tim BROWN (Suspended)
Coach: Ricki HERBERT
Goals: 5. Ben SIGMUND (15’); 10. Shane SMELTZ (65’, 76’);
NCL: 1- Jean Marc OUNEMOA (GK), 4-Jonathan KAKOU, 15-Michel HMAE, 3-Jean-Patrick WAKANUMUNE, 7-Bertrand KAI, 5-Georges WADRENGES, 6-Marius MAPOU, 8-Pierre WAJOKA, 10-Patrick DIAIKE, 14-Ramon OSAMALI (13-Poulidor TOTO 67’), 12-Luther WAHNYAMALLA;
Substitutes not used: 18-Michel HNE (RGK), 2-Loic Houlala, 9-Noël KAUDRE, 11-Cedric NONMEU, , 16-André SINEDO, 17-Allan HNAUTRA,
Coach: Didier Chambaron
Goals: 15. Michael HMAE (55)’
Referee: VARMAN Rakesh Chand (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: ACHARI Andrew Anand (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 2: MELTETAMAT Tony (VAN)
Fourth Official: FRED Lencie (VAN)
Referee Assessor: POLOSO Nehemiah Neil (SOL)