First-half goals from Cameron Howieson and Tim Payne gave New Zealand a 2-0 lead at the break and it was an advantage they never looked like relinquishing in the second spell as they earned Oceania’s sole World Cup spot.
Tahiti enjoyed their fair spell of possession throughout the 90 minutes but struggled to create many clear-cut opportunities and couldn’t find a way through a New Zealand defence well led by skipper Luke Adams, who picked up the Player of the Tournament gong at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Coach Steve Cain believes that aspect of New Zealand’s game was a key to their success.
“I thought our back four was by far the best in the tournament, they were very well organised, composed and athletic,” he said.
“We reduced Tahiti to desperation shots from far out and I was confident they were not going to score in that second half.”
Cain was pleased with the maturity his players showed this afternoon and the professional manner of their performance.
“Young boys can be impulsive at times and to play with that sort of discipline for 45 minutes is not easy.
"They had the wind but we reduced them into making silly decisions and just knocking the ball long,” he said.
“The boys worked very hard, as you could see by the number of them going down with cramp at the end. It was a great effort from everybody.”
Cain always thought an early goal would be vital and was delighted to see it arrive in the seventh minute.
Howieson whipped over an in-swinging free kick from the right-hand touchline and the ball’s path was misjudged by Tahiti goalkeeper Heremataarii Hatitio, who could do little as it sailed over his head and into the net.
The advantage was doubled in the 36th minute when Howieson found New Zealand’s top-scorer Tim Payne and he evaded a challenge on the edge of the box before dinking the ball over the advancing Hatitio.
“If Tahiti had scored first they would have been very hard to beat because they never give up,” Cain said.
“I think they have more in common with us than any of the island nations in terms of their organisation and tactical discipline. They don’t play a naïve game like some of the other teams do.”
Tahiti coach Patrice Flaccadori was proud of his charges’ efforts but feels they weren’t at their best today.
“New Zealand scoring so early in the game made it hard for us because we then chasing the game,” he said.
“We didn’t play in our usual style – we didn’t keep the ball enough and the final pass wasn’t right. You can’t do that against a well-organised team like New Zealand.
“I’m disappointed for my players because they have worked hard for this for a year. It is not a good result for us - we were here to win and it doesn’t matter if you come second, third or fourth.”
Cook Islands, fourth place finishers in Group B, earned the fair play award for the manner in which they played their matches.
- OFC
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