Chris Wood scored a hat-trick as New Zealand defeated Fiji 7-0 on Friday to move within one win of a third World Cup. After beating Tahiti 3-0 in the semi-final at Wellington Regional Stadium, New Caledonia will play the All Whites in the Oceania qualification final in Auckland on Monday.
Intercontinental playoff losses kept New Zealand from the past three World Cups. With Oceania getting a spot for the first time, Darren Bazeley’s team simply needs to overcome New Caledonians to qualify for their first World Cup since South Africa 2010.
So, with captain Wood singing and world number 152 New Caledonia ruled by amateurs, the All Whites should fare well at Eden Park on Monday.
“We know how good New Caledonia are and we’re going to have to be ready for them,” Wood said of New Zealand’s 2022 World Cup qualification win over them 7-1.
“Thus, they played well this afternoon and will cause us issues. We must heal properly now and be ready for Monday.”
Nottingham Forest forward Wood completed his second consecutive hat-trick in World Cup qualification, scoring three goals against Samoa in the 8-0 triumph last November. Wood headed New Zealand in lead after six minutes from a Sarpreet Singh cross and scored again in five minutes before the hour against 148th-ranked Fiji.
He was substituted to a standing ovation from the 21,000 fans and proceeded to the terraces to chat with fans. After Singh scored and Fiji had an own goal, defender Tim Payne scored his first New Zealand goal in 12 years in the 33rd minute to put the hosts ahead 4-0.
So, in the 73rd minute, Kosta Barbarouses scored the All Whites’ eighth after replacing Wood up front.
New Caledonia were thrilled after 36-year-old talisman Georges Gope-Fenepej scored twice to beat Tahiti. The former Ligue One forward twice chipped Tahiti goalkeeper Teave Teamotuaitau in the second half, the first in the 50th minute after New Caledonia captain Cesar Zeoula’s shot bounced.
After seeing Teamotuaitau off his line, Gope-Fenepej hit a beautiful left-foot strike from 35 meters in the 75th minute. In stoppage time, substitute Lues Waya split two defenders on the left edge of the penalty area and sent a low shot inside the near post to seal the game.
“Absolutely delighted and extremely happy with how the team has grouped together,” New Caledonia coach Johann Sidaner remarked.
“We are all football fans so to see someone like Georges put on the display he did, it was wonderful.”
