New Zealand, the favorites to win the OFC Nations Cup, started off their home-and-away qualifier with Vanuatu in the underdog's capital city, Port Vila. New Zealand had a 2-0 in Fiji last month, and today ran their point total in qualifying to six with a 2-1 victory. Vanuatu certainly had to have been pleased with their halftime lead of 1-0, but the New Zealanders answered early in the second half and put away a back-breaking goal in stoppage time to topple Vanuatu.In a rematch of the final of the South Pacific Games, New Caledonia visited Fiji. This matchup was their third so far in qualifying, and the two will face off once more in four days time. New Caledonia now leads the series 1-0-2 over Fiji after their comeback, 3-3 draw in Ba. The Fijians took a 2-0 lead at the half and watched it disappear in the second. The current 2010 World Cup top scorer Osea Vakatalesau (12 goals) scored with under five minutes to go to put his home nation on top 3-2, but New Caledonia struck one minute later and held on for the tie.
Goal scorers:
New Zealand: Smeltz 53; Mulligan 90+3
Vanuatu: Naprapol 26
Fiji: Nawatu 2; Vakatalesau 27, 86
New Caledonia: Gjamaci 66; Kaudre 83; Hmae 87
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