New Zealand secured their spot in the final OFC Men’s Nations Cup after a comfortable 5-0 victory over Tahiti on Thursday at VFF Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila. New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley made one change from the team that beat Vanuatu 4-0. Ben Waine replaced Max Mata in the starting line-up.
Tahiti also made one forced replacement, Kevin Barbe, who came in for injured Eddy Kaspard. Matatia Paama had to sit out the match due to his suspension for a red card against Papua New Guinea.
The last time Tahiti defeated New Zealand was in 1995, but Samual Garcia’s team drew confidence from a narrow 0-1 loss in their last encounter during FIFA World Cup qualifying in Qatar in 2022.
New Zealand quickly took control, and Finn Surman tipped Liberato Cacace’s free-kick onto the post for his first goal for his country in his fourth appearance.
Tyler Bindon cleared a dangerous corner off the line, and Tauhiti Keck tried to catch out goalkeeper Max Crocombe, but his long-range effort drifted wide.
New Zealand continued to create openings and finally got their reward at half-time when Kostas Barbarouses, assisted by Waine, scored his third tournament goal.
Player of the Match Cacace delivered a pinpoint cross for Waine to score his second brace of the tournament. Barbarouses also scored his second goal minutes later, following up on an initial attempt by substitute Alex Grieve, which was blocked on the line.
With their spot in the final secured, New Zealand eagerly awaits the outcome of the second semi-final between Fiji and Vanuatu. The winner of this match will be New Zealand’s opponent in the final, adding to the anticipation and excitement of the tournament.
