Chris Wood celebrates a goal against Vanuatu. Photo / Photosport
Chris Wood celebrates a goal against Vanuatu. Photo / Photosport
By Michael Burgess in Hamilton
The All Whites have taken another step towards the 2026 Fifa World Cup, with a stunning 8-1 victory over Vanuatu at FMG Stadium.
They were heavy favourites but it was an impressive performance – particularly in the first half – with zip, precision and accuracy.
Captain Chris Wood enjoyed a memorable return to the Waikato – after 16 years – with two well taken goals, scored in the space of 72 seconds midway through the first half, to knock the stuffing out of the Island team and continue his red hot run.
It was the All Whites’ biggest win in two decades, since a 10-0 thumping of Tahiti at the 2004 Nations Cup.
The result – in front of a vocal 10,113 crowd - assures New Zealand of top spot in Group B, ahead of their final round robin-match against Samoa at Mt Smart on Monday (7:30pm), before the semifinals, to be staged in Wellington next March.
Vanuatu took a surprisingly attacking approach, playing with a high line and often pressing. It was admirable but naive and they were punished, while they also struggled to defend set pieces.
It wasn’t a perfect night for the All Whites – as they were a bit loose at times - but it is also hard to be too critical, as the scoreline blew out.
Sarpreet Singh capped his long-awaited return with a goal, while defender Tyler Bindon opened his account at this level and Auckland FC winger Liam Gillion got some game time for his international debut.
Midfielder Matt Garbett was a standout, while Marko Stamenic defied a late arrival (Wednesday 5am) and heavy jet lag to impress again.
There were three changes from the starting XI that faced Malaysia, with Wood and Max Crocombe restored to the lineup and hometown boy Logan Rogerson preferred in a wide attacking role.
Garbett opened the scoring with a screamer. From a Vanuatu throw-in near their corner flag, the ball was headed back towards the centre of the field. It ran nicely for Garbett but his strike was sweet and true, swerving into the far corner. In his short All Whites career, Garbett has a knack of producing important goals and this - his fifth for his country - was another.
But the All Whites had looked open and a bit tentative, and they were punished after a quick transition. That led to Jordy Tasip finding space out wide, before he chipped to Crocombe. It was a tad fortunate – as it looked like an intended cross – but reward for an energetic start from the Island nation.
Vanuatu's Jordy Tasip celebrates his goal. Photo / Photosport
The All Whites needed a response, as Wood urged calm. The striker then provided the answer, with his quick brace. For the first he met a swinging Liberato Cacace corner, as the Vanuatu defence left the Premier League striker in space. The second came almost straight from the kickoff, as Wood adjusted quickly in mid-air - with the ball hitting his head then his foot - to finish a deep Garbett cross, after the midfielder had broken free down the left.
Vanuatu were shellshocked. Bindon delivered the fourth – quick to react to divert a Garbett shot. The Reading defender was also involved in the fifth, his header from a Cacace corner deflecting off the luckless Brian Kaltak into his own net.
Wood had further first-half chances for his hat-trick – notably heading wide from eight yards – and another just after the break. In the second half more opportunities fell to Storm Roux, Singh and Cacace, as the game opened up, with Vanuatu keeper Dick Sablan making some good saves and Kaltak trying to marshal his troops, before Elijah Just finished neatly from just inside the box. Singh then provided a crisp finish to sweep home a Garbett pass, before fellow sub Callum McCowatt grabbed the eighth, set up by Singh.
All Whites 8 (Matt Garbett 11, Chris Wood 23, 24, Tyler Bindon 31, own goal 38, Elijah Just 74, Sarpreet Singh 82, Callum McCowatt 89)
