28 Mar 2013

Sport: NZ qualify as Oceania reps for U20 Football World Cup

11:48 am on 28 March 2013

New Zealand will represent Oceania at the Under 20 Football World Cup in Turkey after thrashing Fiji 4-0 in their final qualifying match in Lautoka.

The match remained scoreless until shortly after half-time, when the Junior All Whites opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

Fiji's hopes then took a dive, when Napolioni Qasevakatini was sent off for a second bookable offence, from which point the goals began to flow.

In the earlier match at Churchill Park, New Caledonia heaped more misery on Papua New Guinea, coming from behind to seal a 9-3 victory.

PNG went two goals ahead midway through the first half but their chances slumped when Papalau Awele was dismissed for a deliberate handball in the box, with New Caledonia responding with three quick goals to take the lead.

PNG refused to give up and brought the score back to 3-3 before half-time but fell away after the break, conceding six unanswered goals.