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New Zealand beats Fiji 1-0 in WCup qualifying

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Reported by: AP/UNBconnect
Reported on: Jun 02, 2012 11:19 am
Reported in: Sports

HONIARA, Solomon Islands, June 02 (AP/UNB) - Stand-in captain Tommy Smith scored the lone goal as New Zealand struggled to a 1-0 win over Fiji in its opening match at the Oceania Nations Cup football tournament Saturday.

The Ipswich defender tapped home a rebound after Fiji goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau failed to hold a Leo Bertos free kick in the ninth minute.

Fiji had several chances to equalize, the best coming in the 49th minute when veteran Roy Krishna back-heeled the ball to striker Osea Vakatalesau on the edge of the box only for keeper Mark Paston to tip Vakatalesau's shot over the bar.

The Solomon Islands were to play Papua New Guinea in the second match on Saturday.