ALBANY, New Zealand -- New Zealand
cruised past the Solomon Islands 5-1 in a World Cup Oceania zone
group two match at Albany, near Auckland, on Monday.
The win against the only other previously unbeaten side in
the group should ensure New Zealand go on to meet Australia in
the two-legged Oceania playoffs likely to start in Wellington on
June 20.
After a mediocre 2-0 win against the weakest side in the
group, the Cook Islands, in their last outing, New Zealand took
control of Monday's game from the outset and never allowed the
quick Solomons to settle.
Vaughan Coveny and Chris Jackson both scored two goals and
Paul Urlovic added the fifth. The Solomons grabbed a late
consolation strike through Batram Suri.
New Zealand coach Ken Dugdale said it was a solid
performance by his team, but warned against complacency in their
final group match against Vanuatu on Wednesday.
"The last time Australia played Vanuatu they only beat them
1-0, so if we don't perform against them it lets the Solomons
back in."
The Solomons play Tahiti in their final match the same day.
New Zealand went ahead through Coveny in the 27th minute, a
goal the Solomons' defence were convinced never crossed the
line.
Samoan assistant referee Malo Vaga signalled it had, but it
was a good two minutes before the ball was returned to the
centre circle by the dejected Solomon players.
Jackson scored New Zealand's second goal in the 35th minute
before Coveny and Jackson struck twice in six second-half
minutes.
After Urlovic made it 5-0 in the 69th minute, the Solomons
put some pressure on the New Zealand defence and succeeded in
pulling a goal back when Jackson and goalkeeper Ross Nicholson
were involved in a mix-up and Suri raced in to score.
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