KEY POINTS:
The postponed New Zealand-Fiji soccer World Cup qualifier has been rescheduled for June 23 in Apia, Samoa, the Oceania Football Confederation announced today.
The neutral venue was picked after Fijian goalkeeper Simone Tamanisau was denied an entry visa into New Zealand because of his girlfriend's Fijian military connections which conflicted with New Zealand government regulations.
The world soccer body Fifa stepped into the matter and postponed the match that was scheduled for North Harbour Stadium in November last year.
New Zealand lead the Oceania zone qualifying series for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after beating Vanuatu twice and Fiji once.
The Ricki Herbert-coached All Whites also face New Caledonia on September 6 (away) and 10 (home) in the series this year, with the winners of the Oceania championship automatically qualifying for the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa.
For the World Cup however, the Oceania champions will meet Asia's fifth-ranked qualifiers home and away in June-July next year for a passage to the cup.
- NZPA
