New Zealand will join American Samoa in the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Oceania Qualifiers on home soil next month, as they proved too strong for Solomon Islands at the National Stadium in Honiara.
The Kiwis knew a win would cement their place in the final four and got the perfect start, with Milly Clegg and Indiah-Paige Riley both scoring inside the first ten minutes, as Solomon Islands struggled to contain their opponents.
Hannah Blake added a third just after the half hour mark, but the home side were able to stem the flow and it remained 3-0 going into half-time.
It wouldn’t be until after an hour of play that New Zealand added to their tally. Grace Jale scoring from range before an excellent Blake volley made it 5-0.
Blake duly completed her hat-trick on 73 minutes, rounding the keeper and tucking into an empty net, with Pia Vlok getting the seventh moments later as Solomon Islands wilted.
Milly Clegg, who began the scoring early, grabbed her second in the final ten minutes.
New Zealand: 8 (Milly CLEGG 2′ 81′, Indiah-Paige RILEY 8′, Hannah BLAKE 16′, 65′, 73′, Grace JALE 61′, Pia VLOK 75′)
Solomon Islands: 0
HT: 3-0