Oceania Qualifiers

Despite a disappointing group stage exit at the Sol2023 Pacific Games, the Batram Suri-led squad remains optimistic as they face tough opponents, including XVII Pacific Games finalists Papua New Guinea and Fiji, along with American Samoa in Group A.

Suri meticulously prepared a 33-player squad during the buildup, ultimately narrowing it down to a formidable 23-strong team set to travel to Apia this week.

Reflecting on their swift turnaround from the Pacific Games and the festive break, Suri emphasized a collective team effort in preparation for the upcoming challenge.

The result means New Zealand now advance to the next stage of World Cup qualifying, an intercontinental play-off, also set to be played in Qatar, in June.

Solomon Islands head coach Felipe Vega-Arango was boosted pre-game by the availability of tournament joint top-scorer Raphael Lea’i after an injury concern. However, William Komasi and Javin Wae dropped out from the semi, replaced by Leon Kofana and Molis Junior Gagame in their only changes.

Brazilian coach, Marcos Gusmao told the players during team talk to believe in themselves.

“We are playing final. Every game is final and I believe in you. The New Zealand Whites the favourite but we will play as final and play to win. We need to score goals.

“The team is very focused on the game and wants revenge, we are sure we will have a great game,” the coach said.

After Team Talk, coach Marcos Gusmao, has announced a strong team including several of those players in 2016 drawn match in Port Moresby, where New Zealand won on penalty. 

The tournament will determine which nation will represent Oceania in the FIFA intercontinental play-off in June 2022, from which the winner earns a spot at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ finals.  

A standalone match between the two lowest-ranked OFC nations, Tonga and the Cook Islands, will be held on March 13 to determine who qualifies through to join Group A and contest the preliminary competition. 

Group A, which will be made up of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tahiti and the qualifying match winner, will have its first Match Day on March 17.