Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, the teams seen as the biggest threats to New Zealand at the Women's Oceania Nations Cup, scored convincing first-up wins at North Harbour Stadium yesterday.
PNG, ahead 1-0 at halftime following Sammy Peninsa's ninth-minute strike, went on to beat Fiji 3-0. Zeena Limbai chipped the Fijian goalkeeper for 2-0 and Rumona Morris, with her first touch as a substitute, completed the scoring after 62 minutes.
The Solomons had a flying start when Ileem Pegi's solo effort had them ahead in the 13th minute. Ella Misibini chipped home for 2-0 25 minutes later. Betty Maenu'u stretched the lead to 3-0 in the 75th minute with a penalty. Pegi's second, in stoppage time, completed the 4-0 effort.
Cook Islands and New Zealand, the unbeaten group A teams, meet today.
Soccer: Convincing wins for New Zealand's rivals
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