KEY POINTS:
New Zealand opened their women's soccer World Cup qualifying campaign with a 6-1 win over Tonga.
Yesterday in steamy conditions in Papua New Guinea, goals from Kirsty Yallop (2), Wendi Henderson (2), Abby Erceg and substitute Zoe Thompson gave New Zealand a comfortable victory in their opening game.
The winner of the three game round-robin Oceania zone qualifying tournament will earn a place in the World Cup in China from September 10-30.
New Zealand coach John Herdman was relieved to get the opening game out of the way with a confidence-building win.
"We were 3-0 up after 20 minutes and after that we just tried to keep our focus and keep doing the right things."
It was disappointing to have conceded a goal, but " ... it is a great start to the tournament," Herdman said.
New Zealand play the Solomon Islands tomorrow and their final game is against hosts Papua New Guinea on Friday.
- NZPA