Soccer: New Zealand to face Australia in Oceania playoff

New Zealand marched into the Oceania playoff against Australia for a trip to the world under-17 soccer championship with a 3-1 win over Vanuatu, in Vanuatu last night.

The win, achieved through goals by Reece Thomas (2) and Russell Kamo, meant New Zealand won the group, and travel to Canberra for the first leg against Australia - who won the other qualifying group - on Wednesday.

Coach Ken Dugdale praised his team's "very mature performance" in difficult conditions, which were a mixture of high heat and torrential downpours.