View photosKEY POINTS:
NEW ZEALAND 4
VANUATU 1
David Mulligan turned on the heroics yet again as New Zealand thumped Vanuatu in their return Oceania Nations Cup match in Wellington last night.
He sparked New Zealand's third consecutive win with two goals in the World Cup qualifying series after scoring the winner in a 2-1 result in Port Vila last Saturday.
Last night's victory has almost assured the All Whites entry to the 2009 Confederations Cup and a matchup against the fifth-ranked Asian zone team for a place in the 2010 World Cup as Oceania champions.
Although Shane Smeltz shared the glory at Westpac Stadium with two goals of his own, both in the first half, it was Mulligan's opener in the 14th minute that set the rhythm for the All Whites' easy win on a balmy evening.
Only 2500 fans turned up but there were enough thrills as the All Whites missed more chances than they nailed.
Mulligan, who plays for Scunthorpe United, tucked away the first goal after a Leo Bertos attempt rebounded off the crossbar.
The 25-year-old, in the midfield last night, scored last Saturday's winner in Vanuatu in stoppage time.
Smeltz, in his 19th match for the All Whites, increased their lead last night with a penalty in the 27th minute and a header six minutes later after some fine work by Bertos on the left.
Bertos raced upfield from halfway, bamboozled two defenders with his footwork before sending a low cross which Smeltz met about 5m in front of goal with a diving header.
Vanuatu often pulled back two more players to add to their four-man defensive line but New Zealand looked superior all over the field.
A Mulligan left-footer from 25m was turned away by goalkeeper Chikou Mansale with a diving save and captain Tim Brown missed a sitter from in front in the leadup to halftime.
Vanuatu barely threatened New Zealand's goal until midfielder Moise Poida beat defenders with a timely crossfield pass which striker Francois Sakama slipped past Mark Paston for their lone goal in the 58th minute.
By then New Zealand were home, increasing their lead in this four-team competition to nine points.
But Mulligan hadn't finished, scoring from a late free kick to seal victory.
They have three games to play, a home fixture against Fiji and a home and away series against South Pacific Games champions New Caledonia, but it's hard to see either of those teams threatening their overall lead. Coach Ricki Herbert was naturally delighted with the result, although his team missed at least five easy chances and fell into a flat patch for about 15 minutes in the second half.
"Just what we needed, [we] got some quality goals."
Brown, sent off by Tahitian referee Averil Jacques for a second yellow card offence only seconds from the end, will miss New Zealand's next international.
He and five others in the squad, including Smeltz, will return to train for their Wellington Phoenix A-League club today.
Mulligan said his benching last Saturday made him more determined to do well and establish a starting team spot. "Two goals today and one last week - I'm happy with that."
Vanuatu coach Robert Calvo said his players were extremely disappointed because they had believed they could beat New Zealand.
"They came here quite confident ... started all right but the energy was gone from their game when that first goal went in."
- NZPA
