Soccer: Convincing wins for New Zealand's rivals

Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, the teams seen as the biggest threats to New Zealand at the Women's Oceania Nations Cup, scored convincing first-up wins at North Harbour Stadium yesterday.

PNG, ahead 1-0 at halftime following Sammy Peninsa's ninth-minute strike, went on to beat Fiji 3-0. Zeena Limbai chipped the Fijian goalkeeper for 2-0 and Rumona Morris, with her first touch as a substitute, completed the scoring after 62 minutes.

The Solomons had a flying start when Ileem Pegi's solo effort had them ahead in the 13th minute. Ella Misibini chipped home for 2-0 25 minutes later. Betty Maenu'u stretched the lead to 3-0 in the 75th minute with a penalty. Pegi's second, in stoppage time, completed the 4-0 effort.

Cook Islands and New Zealand, the unbeaten group A teams, meet today.