Kiwis secure last 8 spot

NEW Zealand has secured top spot in Group B and a place in the OFC U17 Championship quarterfinals as Luke Flowerdew’s four goals helped them to a resounding 11-0 win over American Samoa.

Head coach Martin Bullock changed his entire starting XI from the opening day win over New Caledonia and the replacements were clearly looking to impress at the Fiji FA Academy ground in Ba on Saturday.

Jesper Edwards got the ball rolling inside five minutes for New Zealand, heading home after Harry Huxford’s corner-kick had evaded onrushing American Samoa goalkeeper Alex Mae’e.

New Zealand were looking particularly dangerous on the flanks and wide-man Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues doubled the advantage after 10 minutes when his long-range drive bobbled in.

The American Samoa goalie was the busiest boy in Ba at times, doing well to deny Huxford, Eric Sugahara and front-man Flowerdew but the latter soon got his first of the game, stooping low to beat Mae’e to substitute Anton Isaako’s cross.

Another substitute, Matthew D’Hotman de Villiers, benefitted from Mae’e’s handling error to score the fourth just moments after replacing the injured Jackson Cole. Flowerdew then followed up on his own effort to secure a five-goal lead for New Zealand at the break.

Johnica Collins was American Samoa’s main threat, the captain working tirelessly throughout. However, the skipper could not capitalise on a selfmade opportunity early in the second period, dragging his effort wide.

Despite an improved showing from American Samoa early in the second period, a quickfire double soon had New Zealand back on the goal trail. First, Sloane-Rodrigues earned his brace with a calm backpost volley before Flowerdew’s cool finish secured his third with 20 minutes remaining.

D’Hotman de Villiers scored two more, Luke Supyk slotted in from the penalty spot and Flowerdew got his fourth of the game.