World Cup: New Zealand thrash Solomon Islands 5-0 to set up playoff against Mexico or Costa Rica
Daily MailNew Zealand crushed Solomon Islands 5-0 in the final of the Oceania qualifying tournament in Doha on Wednesday to seal a World Cup playoff berth and keep alive their hopes of a first finals appearance in 12 years. Bill Tuiloma's header at the far post eased the pressure after a frantic start before Chris Wood doubled New Zealand's lead six minutes before the break, heading in a pinpoint cross from Tim Payne after being left unmarked in the six-yard box. New Zealand crushed Solomon Islands 5-0 in the final of the Oceania qualifying tournament Bill Tuiloma opened the scoring for them after a frantic start to the Doha final on Wednesday Chris Wood was also amongst the goalscorers as New Zealand edged closer to the World Cup Tuiloma scored another header from a corner and Matt Garbett buried a shot into the bottom corner in stoppage time to complete the rout. New Zealand will meet the fourth-placed team from the CONCACAF region - which features sides from North and Central America and the Caribbean - in an intercontinental playoff for a place in their first World Cup finals since 2010.
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