Wood hat-trick puts New Zealand on brink of third World Cup
March 21 (Reuters) - Chris Wood headed in a hat-trick of goals as New Zealand demolished Fiji 7-0 on Friday to move within one win of making a third World Cup.
The All Whites will meet New Caledonia in the final of Oceania qualifying in Auckland on Monday after the Pacific islanders overwhelmed Tahiti 3-0 in the earlier semi-final at Wellington Regional Stadium.
The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.
New Zealand missed out on the past three World Cups with defeats in intercontinental playoffs.
But with Oceania allocated a berth for the first time, Darren Bazeley's team need only beat the New Caledonians to book their first World Cup since South Africa 2010.
With captain Wood on song and world number 152 New Caledonia dominated by amateur players, the All Whites should have little trouble at Eden Park on Monday.
"We know how good New Caledonia are and we're going to have to be ready for them," said Wood of a team New Zealand beat 7-1 in their previous World Cup qualifier in 2022.
"They've done a very good game this afternoon and we know they're going to cause us problems. We need to focus on doing recovery well now and be ready to go Monday."
Wood, a Nottingham Forest forward, scored his second consecutive hat-trick in World Cup qualifying, having put three goals past Samoa in the 8-0 win last November.
Against 148th-ranked Fiji, Wood latched onto a cross from Sarpreet Singh to nod New Zealand in front after six minutes and thumped in the other two goals in a five-minute burst before the hour-mark.
He was promptly subbed off to a standing ovation from the crowd of 21,000 and went up to the terraces to mix with fans as the game went on.
Defender Tim Payne scored his first New Zealand goal in 12 years in the 33rd minute, putting the hosts 4-0 up after Singh earlier found the net and Fiji had an own goal.
Kosta Barbarouses, who replaced Wood up forward, volleyed in the All Whites' seventh in the 73rd minute.
Earlier, New Caledonia were overjoyed with their emphatic victory over Tahiti, set up by a brace of goals from 36-year-old talisman Georges Gope-Fenepej.
The former Ligue One forward chipped goalkeeper Teave Teamotuaitau twice in the second half; the first in the 50th minute after New Caledonia captain Cesar Zeoula's shot rebounded off the Tahiti stopper.
Spying Teamotuaitau well off his line, Gope-Fenepej then struck from 35 metres in the 75th minute with a sumptuous left-foot shot.
Substitute Lues Waya capped the win with another quality finish in stoppage time, weaving through two defenders on the left edge of the penalty area before banging in a low strike inside the near post.
"Absolutely delighted and extremely happy with how the team has grouped together," New Caledonia coach Johann Sidaner said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
14 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Henry Arundell returns to England squad
Arundell, who also qualified for Wales and Scotland, scored a memorable try with his very first touch as an England player when he came off the bench against Australia in 2022. After Eddie Jones was fired as England head coach, Arundell continued to appear under Borthwick through the 2023 Six Nations. When London Irish went into administration, there was no shortage of interest in Arundell but he chose to sign for French big spenders Racing 92. Borthwick was given special dispensation to pick him as well as Toulouse's Jack Willis for the 2023 World Cup and Arundell scored a record-equalling five tries against Chile in a pool stage match. Despite that feat, Arundell did not feature again until the bronze-medal match against Argentina, which proved to be his last act in an England shirt as pressure from Premiership Rugby forced the Rugby Football Union to close its loophole on selecting overseas players. However with Arundell set to join Bath this summer, Borthwick has been able to add the 22-year-old to his training squad with England facing a France XV at Twickenham on June 21 before their tour of Argentina and the United States. Arundell returns to a much-changed England side both in terms of personnel and philosophy. At the 2023 World Cup, England relied upon their wings to predominantly chase high balls, which did not suit his skillset. Despite a great start to life in France where he scored a hat-trick on his debut, his experience with Racing 92 has not always been a happy one and at points this season he looked shorn of the confidence he possessed three years ago. Arundell faces strong competition for places in the England back three spots with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Cadan Murley, Ollie Sleightholme and Tom Roebuck already included in a training squad which does not feature any players from Bath or Leicester as well as England's Lions contingent.
Reuters
16 minutes ago
- Reuters
Mexico readies for historic third World Cup as Azteca Stadium tensions grow
MEXICO CITY, June 11 (Reuters) - With a year until Mexico makes history as the first three-time World Cup host, the dream of a spectacular showcase is colliding with the practical challenges of modernising the iconic Azteca Stadium for global soccer's premier event. Beneath the imposing silhouette of Mexico's football cathedral - where Pele dazzled with Brazil in 1970 and Maradona's 'hand of God' propelled Argentina to glory in 1986 - construction crews tackle the formidable task of bringing one of the sport's most storied venues into the 21st century. The stakes are magnified as the 'Santa Ursula colossus' will host the tournament's opening match, a global spectacle that will focus the world's attention on Mexico from day one. Renovations will expand the stadium's capacity from 87,000 to 90,000, with upgrades centred on meeting FIFA standards through new changing rooms, enhanced hospitality zones, revamped VIP areas and additional seating in spaces previously occupied by boxes and lounges. While government officials and football administrators envisioned the project as a symbol of national pride, the renovation process has eroded trust between developers, local residents and other stakeholders. Stadium administrators announced in February that they had secured a 2.1 billion peso ($110.19 million) credit line from local financial group Banorte - along with a controversial new name: Estadio Banorte. FIFA regulations mean the stadium will be referred to as "Estadio Ciudad de Mexico" during the World Cup, yet the rebranding has sparked a fierce backlash from some fans, who view it as sacrificing football heritage for commercial interests. The backlash over the stadium's new name represents only one facet of the mounting tensions. Box and suite holders - some with relationships spanning decades - have threatened legal action after FIFA announced it would commandeer their seats during the tournament, overriding established contracts. One member of the Mexican Association of Box Holders has already filed a legal challenge to defend access rights. Beyond the stadium walls, frustration runs equally deep. Residents of Santa Ursula and surrounding neighbourhoods fear that promised infrastructure improvements like pedestrian bridges and transit lines will fail to address fundamental issues including inadequate lighting, water shortages and persistent traffic congestion. "We're not the stadium's backyard," one local resident told Expansion Politica. "But we're always treated that way." By contrast, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico's other two host cities, face fewer obstacles. Guadalajara's 48,000-seat stadium, opened in 2010, has already hosted major events including the 2011 Pan American Games, while Monterrey's 53,500-capacity venue, inaugurated in 2015, needs only minor upgrades - primarily new turf and a pitch ventilation system. "We'll install a system to ventilate and oxygenate the pitch before replacing the grass," said Alejandro Hutt, Monterrey's Host City Manager. "That will be an important legacy from the World Cup and beyond." As construction continues, Javier Aguirre's Mexico squad are building towards a crucial summer, with a Gold Cup title defence ahead and friendly matches against Turkey this week, followed by Japan and South Korea in September. After failing to advance beyond the group stage at Qatar 2022 - their worst World Cup performance since 1978 - Mexican fans crave more than just a well organised tournament. They want to see Mexico break the 'fifth-game' curse and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the last time they were World Cup hosts. For a football-mad nation, pride will come not merely from hosting - but from delivering on all fronts. ($1 = 19.0578 Mexican pesos)
Scottish Sun
28 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Southampton release 12 players including ex-England star Adam Lallana after Premier League relegation
Two other big names will also leave St Mary's Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SOUTHAMPTON have made a ruthless end-of-season cull following their relegation to the Championship. The south-coast side were relegated from the Premier League in April with SEVEN GAMES to spare. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Southampton were relegated to the Championship with seven games to spare Credit: REUTERS 3 Saints have released 12 players, including Champions League winner Adam Lallana Credit: GETTY Dropping back to the second tier of English football will put some serious financial strain on the club. And to cut costs, they have released 12 players - including former Liverpool star and England international Adam Lallana. Youngsters Derrick Abu, Josh Lett, Josh McNamara and Lewis Payne have all been released from their respective contracts at St Mary's. Scholars James Martin, Tevin Myers, Alfie Prescott, Ben Sheaf and Harry Upstell have also been moved on. READ MORE SPORTS NEWS FROZEN OUT Island nation 9 times larger than UK banned from World Cup as statement released Lallana, 37, isn't the only big name to depart the Saints this month. Kyle Walker-Peters and Joe Lumley are also set to leave the club following the expiration of their respective contracts. Lallana, however, could still be at St Mary's come the start of the Championship season in August. The midfielder has been linked with a coaching role under new gaffer Will Still. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 Will Still has inked a three-year deal at Southampton Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK Still, 32, inked a three-year deal with Saints last month to succeed Ivan Juric, who left the club after confirmation of their return to the Championship. Still is relishing the challenge on his hands, saying: "There is huge potential here and we have a great opportunity to do something special. Adam Lallana reflects on going back to his boyhood club Southampton "The project that has been laid out to me is very impressive and, all together, I believe we can build a clear identity and a very positive future for the team. "I'm eager to get to work this summer and start building a close-knit group that can make everyone proud and ultimately get us back to where we belong; in the Premier League."
