New Zealand took command of the Oceania zone soccer World Cup qualifying series with a 2-1 win over Vanuatu in Port Vila today.
With the win, New Zealand, who beat Fiji 2-0 in the first round, top the table with six points from two away fixtures, well aheadof New Caledonia and Fiji who have a point each after sharing a 3-3 draw in Ba today.
Vanuatu, supported by a capacity crowd at the capital's tiny Municipal Stadium, led 1-0 at halftime with a goal to Jean Nako Napropol.
Napropol latched onto a long ball and rounded New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston to slot the ball into an empty net in the 27th minute.
New Zealand had a couple of looks at the Vanuatu goal but shots by Leo Bertos and Shane Smeltz were blocked in a 30th minute goalmouth melee and Tim Brown's follow-up was brilliantly tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Chikau Mansele.
Striker Smeltz equalised when his steep header from a Bertos cross bounced over Mansele into the net in the 53rd minute.
The All Whites struggled to find their rhythm on the bumpy Municipal Stadium pitch.
Ivan Vicelich who ran himself into the ground in the hot and humid conditions was replaced by David Mulligan in the 71st minute and Smeltz came off with a corked thigh minutes later to be replaced by Daniel Ellensohn who made his international debut.
Paston kept New Zealand in the game when he made a brilliant low save off a shot by Seule Soromon in the 82nd minute.
Mulligan found the winner when he rose high to nod home another Bertos cross in the 94th minute.
Coach Ricki Herbert said it was disappointed to see New Zealand a goal down, considering Vanuatu had about five chances throughout the game to his side's "20-odd".
"I'm delighted they got themselves back in the driving seat, albeit late.
"We've got (another) three points on the board - I think we played quite well through for long periods of the game but we got to continue to do the job when we get home."
New Zealand play Vanuatu in the return leg in Wellington on Wednesday.
