Two goals for Waine playing for NZ

The Solomon Islands had caused New Zealand teams many problems in the past and Coach Darren Bazeley was keen for his young team to make an early mark and not let their skilful opponents get into their famous flow.

The Englishman got his dream start when a quick Ben Waine double took the sting out of the match after only 11 minutes.

The Plymouth Argyle forward had only scored once before in his previous 13 internationals, but doubled that tally after five minutes when he turned his defender to rifle home from close range.

Waine quickly doubled the lead six minutes later following a beautiful assist from Tim Payne, virtually ending the last hopes of progressing for Jacob Moli and this side.

The courageous Solomon Islands team refused to throw in the towel and kept pushing forward when possible, which was nearly rewarded when Gagame Feni ‘s stinging shot nearly found the top corner.

New Zealand: 3 (Ben WAINE 5’, 11’, Kosta BARBAROUSES 45+3’)
Solomon Islands: 0