New Zealand looked to distance themselves from the rest of their group by adding another three points to their haul with a win at home against Vanautu. They did just that, taking a 3-0 lead into the half and finishing with a 4-1 win at the final whistle. Unfortunately, the New Zealand captain Tim Brown picked up a second yellow card in second half stoppage time and was sent off the pitch. He will be inelgible for New Zealand's next qualifier. They will still have Shane Smeltz, who with four goals in three games is the top scorer in Oceania's second round of qualifying.“We missed too many chances against New Caledonia on Saturday when we were 2-0 up. If we had converted some easy chances to make it 3-0, 4-0, then the game was over. New Caledonia will be a much tougher prospect today if Pierre Wajoka is selected. Wajoka is a very good player and very professional but we will see what happens,” said Juan Buzzetti, coach of Fiji.
His New Caledonian counterpart Didier Chambaron also spoke before the match. “The first match with Fiji was very difficult. We have a healthy respect for Fiji and we must remain humble. The challenge is to get morale and motivation in our camp high again. We will have to use our speed and pace out wide to greater effect than we did in Fiji.”
New Caledonia took their overall record against Fiji in 2010 qualifying to 2-0-2 with a four-goal shutout victory at home. It was their first appearance at home, and the return of Pierre Wajoka coupled with the absence of Fijian Peni Finau allowed for a comfortable victory. New Caledonia knocked home two goals in each half.
OFC qualifying resumes in June 2008. The current point totals are as follows: New Zealand 9, New Caledonia 4, Fiji 1, Vanuatu 0. It seems as though the two matches between New Zealand and New Caledonia in September 2008 will decide the OFC champion.
Goals scored:
New Zealand: Mulligan 14, 81; Smeltz 29 PK, 34
Vanuatu: Sakama 50
New Caledonia: Wajoka 28; Hmae 31, 60; Mapou 63
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