ALBANY, New Zealand -- Felix Tagawa
scored a hat trick as Tahiti beat the Cook Islands 6-0 in a
World Cup Oceania zone group two match at Albany, near Auckland,
on Monday.
The Cook Islands, beaten 2-0 by New Zealand in their
previous match, fought well but the finishing of the more
polished Tahitians was in a different league.
Tagawa struck after 19, 64 and 88 minutes. Tony Senechal
was on target twice in the second and 45th minutes, and the
other goal came from Naea Bennett in the 51st.
Tahiti are in third position in the group on six points,
below the Solomon Islands only on goal difference. New Zealand
are top with nine points. All three teams have played three
matches.
Tahiti play their final game against the Solomon Islands on
Wednesday. New Zealand meet Vanuatu the same day.
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