Solomons Through To Next Stage

The Solomon Islands has confirmed its place in Stage 2 of the Oceania Nations Cup/World Cup qualifying later this month, after a solid 2-0 win over New Caledonia.

The Solomon Islands has confirmed its place in Stage 2 of the Oceania Nations Cup/World Cup qualifying later this month, after a solid 2-0 win over New Caledonia.   The Solomons now have three wins from three games and is five points ahead of nearest rival Tahiti whom they play in their final game. Any result in that game will ensure they finish as group 1 winners.   In the other match in group 1 Tonga defeated Cook Islands 2-1.   Meanwhile Vanuatu and Fiji both recorded good wins in Group 2, to put themselves in the box seat to advance to Stage 2, being played in Adelaide from May 29.   Fiji put American Samoa to the sword with an 11-0 win with Veresa Toma grabbing a hat-trick, while Vanuatu finished 3-0 winners over host nation Samoa.   Vanuatu leads the group by a point from Fiji, although the former has played a game more.