New Caledonia and Tahiti booked their places in the third round of Oceania World Cup qualifying with a game to spare.
New Caledonia romped to victory against Samoa, racing away to a 7-0 win in the OFC Nations Cup.
It took 18 minutes for them to take the lead, Roy Kayara scoring past goalkeeper Faalavelvae Matagi. Kevin Nemia doubled the advantage in the 28th minute and shortly afterwards Kayara bagged his second of the match.
Cesar Lolohea scored from the spot seven minutes before the break, and there were further goals in the second half from Jean-Brice Wadriako and Jorys Cexome before Jefferson Dahite wrapped up the scoring in the 89th minute with a penalty.
FT #ONC: New Caledonia 7-0 Samoa
Roy Kayara with a brace #WCQ #ConfedCup
(�� @OFCfootball)https://t.co/vG2DYE9BrH pic.twitter.com/lSg1VMA31M- FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 1, 2016
In the other group game, OFC Nations Cup holders Tahiti had to come from two goals down with 10 men to draw 2-2 with hosts Papua New Guinea and book their place in the next round of World Cup qualifying.
Raymond Gunemba put PNG in front in first half injury time, and Tahiti were a man down six minutes after the break when Nicolas Vallar was shown the red card.
Tahiti's task became even more difficult in the 64th minute when Gunemba scored his second of the game -- but Alvin Tehau (66) and Teaonui Tehau (76) forced a draw.
Though New Caledonia and Tahiti are through in World Cup qualifying, Papua New Guinea can still overtake one of them for a place in the semifinals of the OFC Nations Cup. Samoa are out of the Nations Cup, and must beat PNG to go through in the World Cup.
FT #ONC: #PNG 2-2 #Tahiti
Holders fight back to earn draw #WCQ #ConfedCup
(📷 @OFCfootball)https://t.co/vG2DYE9BrH pic.twitter.com/zl3A0lRMyy- FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 1, 2016
The second round of qualifying in the Oceania region doubles as the OFC Nations Cup, taking place in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, with the winners going on to take part in next summer's Confederations Cup in Russia.
The top two in the group stage go through to the knockout rounds of the OFC Nations Cup, though this has no bearing on World Cup qualification.
All but the bottom team in the two four-nation groups advance to the third round of World Cup qualifying, which then features two three-team groups. The winner of each group meets to decide who goes through to the inter-confederation playoff against the nation that finishes fifth in the South American region.
New Zealand booked their place in the third round on Tuesday.