Soccer: Vanuatu wake NZ up for Fiji

NZ's Ian Hogg. OFC Men's Olympic Qualifier New Zealand 2012, New Zealand v Papua New Guinea. Photo / Shane Wenzlick

New Zealand's Olympic soccer dream is alive but only just. At Taupo's Owen Delany Park yesterday, they watched in despair as the comfortable 3-0 lead they emphatically claimed in the first half hour was carved back to 3-2 by a rampant Vanuatu in the second spell of their semifinal.

Oly Whites' coach Neil Emblen faces a massive task getting his players up and ready for tomorrow's final against equally-fired up Fiji, who beat Papua New Guinea 3-0 in yesterday's early semifinal. New Zealand managed only a 1-0 win over PNG on the first day of the Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament.

It's ironic that the pair will meet in the final, as this tournament was originally scheduled for Fiji where the home team would have enjoyed huge support. Even so, given their following in New Zealand, it will be no surprise if the Fijians get more from the crowd in tomorrow's final.

Fiji took a 2-0 lead on the hour of the opening game yesterday, captain Esava Naqeleca adding penalty No 2 to the one he scored in the 26th minute. A third goal from Zibraaz Sahib made it safe with 19 minutes to play.

In the second game Louis Fenton, from a looping Alex Feneridis cross, and James Musa, heading home a Feneridis corner, had the Oly Whites 2-0 ahead before eight minutes had elapsed.

Hopes on the New Zealand bench were high. Greg Draper, again from a Feneridis assist, got his foot up to steer the ball home for 3-0 after 28 minutes, giving the appearance of a job well done and let's move on.

But in the 74th minute substitute Jean Kaltak breached New Zealand defences and fired the ball through goalkeeper Jake Gleeson's legs. With 90 minutes approaching, the visitors won a freekick which substitute Ivong Wilson fired goalwards.

Unmarked, Kensi Tangis raced into space, caught the ball on the fly and guided it home to send panic into the Kiwi camp.

While Vanuatu coach Richard Iwai was justifiably proud, Emblen was shaking the worry beads. "Fair play to Vanuatu, they played very well," said Emblen.

"It was a good wake-up call. We ran out of gas a bit in the second half which is a concern. Fiji look a tough team. They defend well and we know we'll have to step up to beat them."