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Kiwi's knocked out. Australia and Solomon Islands in playoff
New Zealand is the biggest casualty of the OFC world cup qualifiers after a bitterly disappointing round robin series. Meanwhile the Solomon Islands have created history, reaching their first ever playoff series in a bid for a world cup place.
The first round of the second stage featured the two big nations clashing in the main event. However the curtain raisers weren't exactly unimportant matches. It started with the Solomon Islands against Vanuatu, a side considered by some as the number 3 in the Oceania region. They fought hard and only a penalty to the Solomon's denied Vanuatu. Batram Suri slotted home easily 51 minutes in and the entertainers of the island nations took three points.
Tahiti and Fiji played the Hindmarsh Stadium curtain jerker only for a 0-0 to be recorded. But the 12,000 fans showed up to see the two heavyweights clash. In what was a match that Australia wasted the majority of chances, the Socceroos did manage to score. Marco bresciano slotted a set piece home on 40 minutes to give Australia the perfect start and New Zealand the first steps to their downfall.
Second round and New Zealand sought to rectify the poor start in the Marden Sport Complex match. And they did just that. Brent Fisher (36 min), Duncan Oughton (81 min) and Aaran Lines (90 min) netted in what was an unconvincing performance.
Australia featured in the Hindmarsh curtain jerker against Tahiti. The Socceroos thrashed their islander opponents 9-0. Mile Sterjovski scored a hat-trick while Tim Cahill managed a brace. Josip Skoko, David Zdrilic and Scott Chipperfield all put their name in lights while Vincent Simon of Tahiti assumed the philosophy "if you can't beat them, join them", scoring a 45th minute own goal. The main event for the second round was a group 2 top of the table replay with Fiji this time pulling ahead with a 1-0 win over Vanuatu. Golden striker Veresa Toma netted late to give Fiji the three points.
The Marden match of round three pit hosts Australia against the one island team that has managed to pick up a victory against them, Fiji. Unfortunatly for them the glory days of a decade ago wouldn't hold up for Fiji as Australia thrashed them 6-1. Cahill with a hat-trick, Adrian Madaschi with a double and Ahmad Elrich getting one. Laisiasa Gataurua equalised for Fiji early on but ruined the rest of his game when he was sent off for striking Cahill after a poor tackle.
At Hindmarsh Tahiti fought valiently against the Solomon Islands but they still couldn't manage a score fr their team. Commins Menapi scored twice with Henry Fa'arodo and Suri netting once each. However the biggest surprise would be the main event of the evening. New Zealand took on eventual wooden spooners Vanuatu. Their poor performances took a toll and despite a double from Vaughan Coveny New Zealand fell 4-2 to the islanders. Seimata Chillia, Lexa Bibi, Jean Maleb and Alphose Qorig scored to give Vanuatu the biggest win in their history.
Determined to get some pride back, New Zealand took the game to Tahiti in the Marden game of round four. A 10-0 rout saw Coveny and Brent Fisher with a hat-trick. Neil Jones scored a brace while Oughton and Ryan Nelson put their names in lights.
At Hindmarsh the Solomons just overcame Fiji 2-1 in the curtain raiser. Paul Kakai and Mahlon Houkarwa scored for the Solomons while Toma ensured his position as Fiji's best attacker. The main match saw Australia take on Vanuatu. Vanuatu put up a strong fight, holding the Socceroos for the majority of the match. However strong attack allowed three goals through. John Aloisi scored twice while brett Emerton netted once.
It set the scene with Australia assured a playoff position and the Solomon Islands and New Zealand vying for second. New Zealand played Fiji and a win would give them a good chance. The Solomons played Australia and any result would assure them safe passage to a playoff position against Australia.
If the Marden Sports Complex game was anything to go by, tonight wasn't going to go directly to script. Tahiti pulled off a come from behind last ditch victory to overcome Vanuatu and drag themselves off the bottom of the table. Richard Iwai scored for Vanuatu on 24 minutes to give them the lead. Axel Tamataua however scored Tahiti's first goal of the second stage just before the half time break. It looked like a 1-1 draw was on the cards before Gabriel Wajoka struck in the last minute to give Tahiti three points.
Back at Hindmarsh the scene had been set and New Zealand played their part in the excitement of the night. A 2-0 beating of Fiji enough to give them a shot at second.Che Bunce scored after 8 minutes while Coveny netted on 56 minutes to secure it. The main game of the night saw Australia against the Solomon's. It was a tight first half until Menapi scored for the islanders a minute before the break. Shockwaves were sent through the Aussies at half time and the Kiwi's were nervously hoping they could come back. The second half started swiftly with Cahill and Emerton scoring in quick succession to easy trans-tasman nerves. However Menapi netted on 76 minutes to pull them level. The rest remained at 2-2, sending the team known as the entertainers of the island nation through to the world cup playoff with Australia. New Zealand have to remain content with a seat in front of the tv if they wish to take part in the event now as they are officially eliminated from the FIFA World Cup.
6 June, 2004 |
