Alex Greive and Chris Wood both scored doubles as the All Whites made it three wins from three in group play at the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament with a 7-1 win over New Caledonia.
Chris Wood Photo: PHOTOSPORT
With New Zealand already through to the semi-finals, coach Danny Hay took the opportunity to make nine changes from the side that beat Fiji 4-0 in their last fixture including Swansea City goalkeeper Jamie Searle making his All Whites debut.
Two of the new faces in New Zealand's starting eleven combined to give Hay's side the lead after eight minutes. Joe Champness' low cross was flicked into the New Caledonia goal by Alex Greive for his first international goal on his first start.
New Caledonia bounced back almost immediately with an excellent header from Jean-Philippe Saiko powering the ball past Searle.
It was the first goal conceded by New Zealand in the tournament.
After 35 minutes Greive was brought down in the box, which Logan Rogerson converted.
Alex Greive is brought down Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Greive then got his second on the stroke of half time.
Chris Wood was a second half substitute and made an instant impact with his shot stopped by the keeper but the ball was then slotted home by Andre de Jong.
Bill Tuiloma, another of New Zealand's replacements, then headed home a Joe Bell corner before Wood bagged a brace to seal the win.
New Zealand will now face Tahiti in the semi-finals after their 3-1 defeat to Solomon Islands saw them finish second in Group A.
The Solomon Islands will play Papua New Guinea in the other semi-final on Monday morning.
