Vanuatu and NZ take charge

The first matches of World Cup qualifying Group B have been played, with the favourites in the driving seat.

The group, which takes place in Port Vila in Vanuatu, consists of the hosts, New Zealand, Tahiti and first round qualifying stage winner Samoa.

Group A, hosted in Fiji, saw Fiji and New Caledonia take opening day wins earlier this week.

And on the weekend it was Group A’s turn in Port Vila.

The first match saw New Zealand take on Tahiti on Friday.

New Zealand’s Elijah Just rifled a left footed shot into the roof of the net with an absolute screamer in the second minute to get the All Whites off to the best possible start.

Over in the second half striker and captain Chris Wood was unmarked at the far post from a corner and guided a header into the corner of the net on the 68th minute mark.

A minute before going into the added time, Ben Waine sealed the result with the All Whites final goal of the day, to win 3-0.

On Saturday it was the hosts Vanuatu’s turn to take on minnows Samoa.

Vanuatu would follow NZ with an early opening goal, when Alex Saniel tapped in a cross from close range after only seven minutes.

John Alick added a second ten minutes before the break.

Then Samoa got some hope back when Nathan Viliamu scored from a counter, only for Alick and Vanuatu to score a third two minutes later.

Vanuatu continued to attack and created a number of chances before Bong Kalo with a superb strike from outside the box sealed the result in injury time, with Vanuatu winning 4-1.

The qualifying two groups will be decided over the international window in November. The top two from each group advances to the final knockout stage in March next year, with the winner qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. 

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