All Whites one win from FIFA World Cup spot
- Dave Worsley
- Mar 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 22
New Zealand will face New Caledonia on Monday night at Eden Pak in the Oceania Qualifying finalr for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The All Whites thrashed Fiji 7-0 with English Premier League player and New Zealand captain Chris Wood scoring a hat-trick within the first 60 minutes.
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The home side led 4-0 at halftime and eased up a little in the second half. It could have been eight on the scoresheet but Ben Waine missed a penalty pushing it wide. .
Sarpreet Singh also scored, in the 17th minute after Wood nailed the opener in the sixth minute from a running header.
Tim Payne and an own goal were the other first half scorers.
In the second spell it was Wood again for his third just before he was subbed. Local player Kosta Barbarouses was the final player to get on the scoreboard in the 73th minute.
The popularity of Wood proving a bonus for fans as he was subed off with 30 minutes remaining he ended up in the crowd suurounded by autograph hunters and selfie takers.
In the earlier game New Caledonia beat Tahiti 3-0 to reserve their spot in the Oceania Qualier final.
New Caledonia have a number of players in French leagues along with Jaushua Sotirio from the All League.
Sky Stadium, Wellington: All Whites 7 (Chris Wood 6’, 56’, 60’ Sarpreet Singh 17’, own goal 23’, Tim Payne 33’, Kosta Barbarouses 73’) HT: 4-0.