KEY POINTS:
The All Whites today negotiated a tricky first hurdle in their bid to qualify for the 2010 soccer World Cup with a 2-0 win over Fiji in Lautoka.
A first-half goal from the experienced Ivan Vicelich and a superb late individual effort by Shane Smeltz got New Zealand
past opponents who had their moments, but paid for wayward shooting.
The encounter on a bumpy surface at Churchill Park doubled as a qualifier for the Confederations Cup and it was an open, entertaining and at-times physical affair.
There was also blood spilt, with All White central defender Andy Boyens suffering a nasty cut above his left eye in a clash of heads with Fiji's Pita Rabo in the 18th minute.
Boyens played on with his head heavily bandaged, before going off midway through the second half.
As expected, Fiji started with their first-choice keeper, Simione Tamanisau, the player whom the New Zealand Government denied a visa under sanctions introduced following last December's coup.
Tamanisau's absence when the Fiji squad arrived in Auckland last week led to world governing body Fifa postponing what was to have been the opening match between the two sides at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.
When the football finally got under way, both the All Whites and Fiji had half chances before Vicelich, making his 61st international appearance, broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute.
Fiji skipper Peni Finau had managed to clear a New Zealand free kick, but when the ball came straight back, Vicelich was the first to react.
The central defender's run beat the offside trap and he flicked the ball over the advancing Tamanisau for his seventh goal for the All Whites.
New Zealand again got the ball into net just before halftime, with Glasgow Celtic striker Chris Killen converting a cross, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
The All Whites had a scare early in the second half, when they failed to clear a Fiji free kick and Malakai Kainihewe headed against the cross bar.
Smeltz then twice found the net, only to be denied by offside.
But with four minutes of normal time to go, it was third time lucky for the Wellington Phoenix striker.
He picked up the ball just outside the box and skipped past two defenders before firing a fine shot that gave Tamanisau little chance.
New Zealand's next two qualifying matches are against Vanuatu in Port Vila on November 17 and in Wellington four days later.
The postponed encounter with Fiji is expected to be staged at a neutral venue next year.
The All Whites' Oceania qualifying programme concludes with home and away fixtures against New Caledonia next September.
NZPA