Solomon Islands 2 New Zealand 2
Yesterday’s match felt academic, as the result of the tie was all but sealed after the All Whites’ 6-1 victory last Friday in Albany, but they killed any residual doubt with early goals.
The home side came back with two goals from the spot — one a definite penalty, the other extremely questionable — but the All Whites still banked a comfortable aggregate win.
They had to survive a frenetic final 15 minutes, after Solomon Islands captain Henry Fa’arado equalised, but negotiated it well.
“It was a just a case of getting the job done,” said Hudson. “We have to give a lot of credit to the home team and we made five changes to the team so to get a 8-3 [result] was very pleasing.”
In the 14th minute, former Western Springs striker Myer Bevan scored his first goal for his country in just his second international match, showing a poacher’s instinct to be first to a rebound inside the six-yard box.
Seven minutes later their lead doubled, after a speculative Kosta Barbarouses shot looped off defender Haddis Aengari’s head into the Solomons Islands net.
The performance yesterday continued a trend under Hudson, where the team have found a way to get the job done in tough Island conditions.
It wasn’t always polished, but it was professional and efficient, especially considering the raft of personnel changes made since the first leg.
The All Whites paced themselves well in the stifling heat and humidity, with a deliberate strategy to slow the game down. It was a physical battle, with the home side guilty of some rash challenges.
There were significant changes to the New Zealand starting XI, with Andrew Durante and Tom Doyle coming into the defensive back three, Moses Dyer making a rare start and Themi Tzimpoulos used in the defensive midfield position.
Tzimpoulos looked comfortable further forward, with good positioning and neat touches in pos-
It was a just a case of getting the job done. We have to give a lot of credit to the home team.
session and Doyle was solid alongside Durante.
The 20-year Bevan gave an energetic display, and his goal was all about desire, after Storm Roux’s shot hit the post and created havoc in the Solomons’ penalty area. However, Bevan blotted his copybook with a needless yellow card in the second
Anthony Hudson