New Zealand predictably advanced to the final of the under-17 Oceania soccer championships with a 3-0 defeat of Papua New Guinea today, echoing their previous form with another contrasting dress rehearsal at North Harbour Stadium.
As anticipated, New Zealand completed group A unbeaten and have conceded only once in four
games. But a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal could yet undermine them in Wednesday's final against group B frontrunners Tahiti.
Ryan Howlett ensured the home side made the perfect start when he slotted a precise Rhys Jordan cross underneath Benjamin Wilbert inside 60 seconds.
However a rout never eventuated as a thoroughly dominant New Zealand squandered at least another dozen scoring opportunities throughout a lopsided clash that did not see PNG force a corner until the 73rd minute.
Jordan also laid on New Zealand's second in the 13th minute when he picked out Nathan Buswell, who beat Wilbert from an acute angle.
New Zealand continued to pour forward but imprecise finishing and some desperate PNG defence kept the score line respectable at halftime - Tim Payne and Cameron Martin were among the culprits from close range late in the half.
Payne atoned in the 54th minute - and in spectacular fashion when he volleyed a low cross from Howlett past the despairing Wilbert.
New Zealand's victory followed wins over Vanuatu (5-1) Fiji (1-0) and cellar dwellers American Samoa 4-0, efforts that were far from blemish free.
In today's other group A clash a Jean Kaltak hat-trick spearheaded Vanuatu's 7-0 drubbing of American Samoa to confirm their involvement in the play-off for third and fourth - probably against the Solomon Islands.
Kaltak's sibling Tony added a late double to inflate the winning margin.
Group B concludes tomorrow with the Solomons only needing a point against the Cook Islands to reach the third and fourth place play-off; Tonga and New Caledonia meet in a match of no consequence.
- NZPA
