By Sachit Subba • Football • Mar 24, 2025 17:21 PM • 133 views
A dominant second-half display saw New Zealand take a significant step toward booking their place at next year's FIFA World Cup, dispatching a spirited opponent 3-0 in the third round of the Oceania qualifiers on Monday at a packed Eden Park.
Goals from Michael Bojl, Kosta Barbarouses, and Elijah Just sealed the victory for the All Whites, who now move into the intercontinental playoff stage — their final hurdle on the road to the global showpiece.
After a cagey first half, Bojl broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with a composed finish, igniting the home crowd. Five minutes later, veteran forward Barbarouses doubled the advantage with a clinical strike before Just capped off a commanding performance with a goal in the 80th minute, putting the result beyond doubt.
This marks New Zealand's third appearance on the global stage, following previous World Cup berths in 1982 and 2010. With momentum, the All Whites will aim to clear the final hurdle in the playoff and secure their place among the world's elite.
New Zealand joins Japan, which has already qualified from Asia, while World Cup hosts the United States, Canada, and Mexico have received automatic qualification from the CONCACAF region.
The All Whites' next challenge will be a high-stakes playoff that could cement their return to football's grandest stage — and they look ready for it.
