McGlinchey brace steers NZ win

Michael McGlinchey scored two goals 90 minutes apart to help New Zealand seal a 3-0 victory over Tahiti in the third round of Oceania qualifying for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil on Tuesday.

The midfielder smashed home from outside the box in the third minute after some poor defending from the Oceania champions.

The All Whites then had numerous chances to kill off the match but were unable to make the game safe until Chris Killen stabbed home a rebound in the 90th minute.

McGlinchey then sealed the 3-0 win with a powerful drive over Mikael Roche in the third minute of added time in Christchurch.

Edging closer

“It was a pity we couldn’t put the game away earlier because we created enough chances,” said New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen.

“But the crowd stuck with us and that third goal was worth the price of admission.

“Tahiti were always in the game until the 85th minute and that’s what makes it such a great game, you can control it and do everything but just not put them away.”

The victory moved Ricki Herbert’s undefeated side to 12 points and within sight of the final hurdle for qualification to their second successive World Cup finals, though they could face a challenge in their next match against New Caledonia.

Les Cagous, who thrashed the Solomon Islands 6-2 last Friday, hammered the Bonitos for a second successive game with Georges Gope-Fenepej, Roy Kayara, Iamel Kabeu and Cesar Lolohea all scoring in the first half of their clash in Noumea.

Lolohea added his second in the 89th minute to complete the 5-0 victory and ensure the gap to the All Whites remains just three points before their clash next March which could decide the outcome of the group.

The winner of the final Oceania round advances to face the fourth-placed team from the Central and North American and Caribbean Confederation (CONCACAF) in a two-legged playoff for a spot in Brazil.