by Jeremy Mogi – EM TV Sport, Port Moresby
New Zealand have opened their football campaign, defeating the Solomon Islands, by two goals to nil.
Tournament favourites, New Zealand, were dominant, against a physical SI team.
The Solomons comfortable passing game, were disrupted by the All Whites, crisp and disciplined defence, SI captain Tuti zama tanito, targeted well.
Patience paid off, New Zealand, opening the scoring after 29 minutes through striker Monty Patterson.
That goal resulted in the Solomon islands showing frustration, as Harrison Mala the midfielder, continuously found himself outnumbered in attack.
And while the Solomon Islands pushed, they couldn’t find an equalizer, as New Zealands Alex Rufer, soon doubled the lead.
Anatu Jnr Faárado thought he’d hit one back for his side, when Tanito laid up inside the box, however, his shot would rebound off the cross bar.
The match between Fiji and Vanuatu would end in a draw, as the Federated States of Micronesia were on the receiving end of a Tahitian onslaught. The French Territory, handing the minnows a record-equalling 30-0 mauling.
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