6 Jun 2012

Sport: One playoff spot left after New Caledonia and Tahiti join NZ

10:25 am on 6 June 2012

New Caledonia and Tahiti have joined New Zealand in the semi finals of the Oceania Nations Cup after big wins in their final group matches.

Les Cagous had little trouble finding the net at Lawson Tama Stadium, with striker Jacques Haeko bagging five in a 9-0 rout of Samoa.

Head coach Alain Mozain was able to give some other players a run in the match and says he is pleased with how the team responded to their previous loss.

Despite failing to record a win at the tournament, Samoa's captain Andrew Setefano says just being involved has proven valuable for their development.

"Even though we didn't make it to the last four the boys were doing the best we can and throughout the whole tournament we've been learning a whole lot, so for next year we will be preparing for the next upcoming tournament."

Tahiti ended Vanuatu's playoff hopes, winning 4-1, to secure top spot in Group A as well as probably avoiding a semi final match up with New Zealand.

Coach Eddy Etateta says the team is happy have obtained their first objective,of going through to the next stage of World Cup qualifying, and says he would prefer tof ace Fiji in the next round.

I know the football of Fiji and because Solomons, if qualifies in the semi final, they play with the crowd, the people with their team, I think is difficult.

DUR:...11 sec

On Wednesday Papua New Guinea meet Fiji while New Zealand take on Solomon Islands, with one final playoff spot up for grabs, which will also secure a place in the next stage of World Cup qualifying.