NZ beats Solomons 6-1 in Oceania WCup qualifying

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -New Zealand reasserted its footballing superiority in Oceania by thrashing the Solomon Islands 6-1 on Tuesday in the third stage of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

After representing the Pacific-based confederation at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, New Zealand's status was undermined by finishing third at the Oceania Nations Cup in the Solomon Islands earlier this year.

New Zealand drew with the Solomon Islands in the group stage at that tournament and was beaten by New Caledonia in the semifinals, before scraping past the Solomons 4-3 in the playoff for third place.

But after beating New Caledonia in the opening leg last week, New Zealand emphasized its regional dominance on Tuesday by scoring four second-half goals after leading 2-0 at halftime.