Welcome to Stade Numa Daly where we are all set to kick of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifier between New Caledonia and New Zealand.

News from the New Zealand camp is that Jeremy Brockie has replaced Leo Bertos in the starting lineup after Bertos suffered a late groin injury.

Live text updates:

1′ – We are underway here in New Caledonia with Shane Smeltz breaking down the right causing New Caledonia problems early on

5′ – New Caledonia earn a corner on the right, but is cleared by NZ captain Ryan Nelsen.

9′ – NZ earn freekick outside the box which David Mulligan takes but is cleared by the New Caledonia defense

12′ – Jarrod Smith fires a shot wide for New Zealand after a clever touch inside the box

15′ – GOAL 1-0 New Zealand – Ben Sigmund toe pokes home from close range following a New Zealand corner.

20′ – New Zealand have taken control of the match and look comfortable with their one goal lead.

25′ – New Zealand earn another corner but it is well taken by NCL goalkeeper Jean Marc Ounemoa.

26′ – New Caledonia are struggling to get out of their own half

32′ – Jarrod Smith has a free header inside the NCL box but fires it over the bar. A good chance.

38′ – long range shot from NCL gives New Zealand goalkeeper Glenn Moss something to think about, but drifts just wide.

38′ – Tidy work from Tony Lochead creates a chance for Jeremy Brockie whos shot is deflected for a corner

43′ – Scrappy passage of play with neither side able to penetrate behind the backlines

44′ – 30 metre shot from NCL – straight at Glen Moss

45′ – Halftime – New Zealand have controlled the first half and look comfortable with their one goal lead after Ben Sigmund poked home from close range in the 15th minute.

46′ – Great throughball behind the NZ defence sees Wahnyamalla get through on goal and advance around keeper Glen Moss. Ryan Nelsen gets back in the nick of time to clear the ball off the line.

55′ – GOAL – New Zealand 1 – New Caledonia 1– Michael Hmae finishes of a swift New Caledonian attack following some slick passing. Hmae picked his spot and slid the ball clinically past Glen Moss.

57′ – Substitution for NZL Jeremy Christie replaces Allan pearce 

59′ – David Mulligan fires a right footed shot over the bar from 30 yards out

60′ – New Caledonia have a new sense of urgency in the second half

63′ – Patrick Diaike breaks inside the NZ penalty area and fires his shot straight at Glen Moss

65′ GOAL – New Zealand 2 – New Caledonia 1 – Jarrod Smith provides a deep cross from the left hand side which Jeremy Brockie redirects into the path of Shane Smeltz who buries the ball in the back of the net from six yards out.

67′ – Substitution for NCL Poulidor Toto replaces Ramon Osamali

72′ – Substitution for NCL Allan Hnautra replaces Jonathan Kakou

76′ – GOAL New Zealand 3 – New Caledonia 1 – Shane Smeltz scores a cracking goal, after recieving the ball on the edge of the box, turning his marker and firing a powerful shot into the top corner.

79′ – Brockie makes a smart dab down the right but his shot lands save in the hands of the NCL goalkeeper.

86′ – Elliot fires in a corner from the left which is unchallenged.

86′ – NCL fire a shot high over the bar from 30 yards out. New Zealand slow play down.

91′ – New Zealand players are cramping up all over the pitch, suffering from the heat.

92′ – Substitution for New Zealand Chris James replaces Jarrod Smith.

Full time – New Zealand are off to the Confederations Cup courtesy of a 3-1 victory over New Caledonia. They have also secured their place in a playoff match against the fifth ranked Asian confederation side for a place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

NZL: 18-Glen MOSS (GK), 2-David MULLIGAN, 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Simon ELLIOTT, 5-Ben SIGMUND, 6-Ryan NELSEN, 7-Leo BERTOS, 8-Duncan OUGHTON, 10-Shane SMELTZ, 11-Jarrod SMITH,17-Allan PEARCE

Substitutes: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 9-Jeremy BROCKIE, 12-Andrew BOYENS, 13-Steven OLD, 15. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 16-Chris JAMES, .

Not available: 14-Tim BROWN (Suspended).

Coach: Ricki Herbert

NCL: 1- Jean Marc OUNEMOA (GK), 4-Jonathan KAKOU, 15-Michel HMAE, 3-Jean-Patrick WAKANUMUNE, 7-Bertrand KAI, 5-Georges WADRENGES, 6-Marius MAPOU, 8-Pierre WAJOKA, 10-Patrick DIAIKE, 14-Ramon OSAMALI, 12-Luther WAHNYAMALLA

Substitutes: 18-Michel HNE (RGK), 2-Loic Houlala, 9-Noël KAUDRE, 11-Cedric NONMEU, 13-Poulidor TOTO, 16-André SINEDO, 17-Allan HNAUTRA,

Coach: Didier Chambaron