In a stunning display of dominance, Chris Wood led New Zealand to an impressive 8-0 victory over Samoa in their final Group B match at the FIFA World Cup 26 Oceania Qualifiers. Wood’s remarkable hat-trick helped secure a clean sweep for the All Whites, who showcased their superior skills against a Samoan side ranked 186th in the FIFA World Rankings, compared to New Zealand’s 91st position.
From the onset, New Zealand established control, but they faced a resilient Samoan defense. Despite three early shots from Marko Stamenic being expertly saved by Samoan goalkeeper Pele Fatu, New Zealand’s persistence paid off. It wasn’t until the 24th minute that Callum McCowatt broke the deadlock by scoring off a deflected shot following a save from Fatu.
Wood quickly added to the scoreline, netting goals in the 28th and 34th minutes, marking his 39th and 40th international goals. New Zealand continued to apply pressure, and after a brief lull, they resumed their scoring with Wood finding the net again for his 41st goal shortly after halftime.
Other notable contributors included Marco Stamenic, who scored the fifth goal, and Francis de Vries, who netted his first international goal with a powerful volley. Elijah Just and Ben Waine rounded out the scoring, with Waine converting a penalty deep into stoppage time.
This impressive victory sets New Zealand up for a semi-final matchup against Fiji in March, while New Caledonia and Tahiti will battle in the other semi-final.
The All Whites’ performance not only enhances their standing in international football but also serves as an inspiration for their upcoming matches. This victory signifies a strong momentum as they look to continue their success in the qualifiers.
Leave a comment