After failing to post a win in either of their two Stage 3 matches so far, Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta and his charges knew that nothing less than three points would do but would have been just as aware they were coming up against the only undefeated side in the competition.
The loss of key defenders Ryan Nelsen and Winston Reid, whose dual injury problems had overshadowed the All Whites’ build up to this match, would have given the Toa Aito hopes New Zealand were there for the taking, especially given their below-par performances at the Nations Cup in June, the last time they were without the influential English Premier League pair.
But any hopes Etaeta may have had of capitalising on the All Whites’ reshuffled backline – which saw the shift to a back four with winger Leo Bertos slotting in on the right – were dashed as New Zealand started brightly before Shane Smeltz pounced on a spill by goalkeeper Xavier Samin to put Ricki Herbert’s men into a 24th-minute lead.
The strike was Smeltz’s 23rd ‘A’ international goal for his country and moves the Perth Glory hitman to outright second on the all-time All Whites goalscorers list, just ahead of the legendary Steve Sumner.
Despite plenty of endeavour on the part of Tahiti, New Zealand goalkeeper Glen Moss – a late inclusion in the starting line-up after Mark Paston was forced to pull out due to an infection in his foot – had little to do in the first half, aside from keeping out a Lorenzo Tehau free kick in the 27th minute.
The new-look defence – stand-in captain Tommy Smith and Ben Sigmund were flanked by Bertos and Tony Lochhead – made up for the absence of Nelsen and Reid with a solid showing as Tahiti tried to get back into the contest and it was to be a frustrating evening for Etaeta, who could do little as he watched his side’s Brazil 2014 hopes slip away.
Chris Killen and Chris Wood – who joined Smeltz in a three-man attack – both had chances in the second half but could not take full advantage, Killen finding his shooting angle to acute after rounding Samin and Wood smashing over the bar after going through on goal.
But the visitors did finally extend their lead in a contest of few opportunities when Ben Sigmund met a Lochhead corner to head home in the 82nd minute and all but put an end to Tahiti’s chances of progressing past Stage 3.
New Zealand survived a late scare as skipper Smith was forced to clear a close-range Axel Williams effort off the line but there was no further work for the scorers as Tahiti came to terms with their fate.
The Toa Aito are now without a win in their three matches – the only nation still chasing their first victory in Stage 3 – and will be desperate to regain some pride when they face New Zealand again in Christchurch on Tuesday in a match the All Whites could put one foot in the inter-continental play-off by winning.
Coach Herbert was delighted to have seen the side remain undefeated and feels beating Tahiti in their own backyard is no mean feat.
“We know it is always difficult to play Tahiti on home soil,” he said. “We did what we had to do and are now the leader after three games which is very positive for us.”
Tahiti counterpart Etaeta admitted his team is now essentially out of the running for Brazil 2014 but believes there is still much to play for with a maiden appearance at the FIFA Confederations Cup – the prize for taking out the Nations Cup – on the horizon next year.
“We knew it would be a physical game against New Zealand and that proved to be the case,” he said.
“New Zealand scored twice from free kicks and, at this level of competition, we have to be more careful in that area. Our qualification is mostly finished but we will use the next matches to prepare for the Confederations Cup.”
The next Stage 3 action takes place in just a few days with New Zealand welcoming Tahiti and Solomon Islands travelling to New Caledonia in the return legs of this round’s fixtures on Tuesday.