Four goals in each half see the Kiwis take a healthy lead heading into next Wednesday’s return leg in Port Moresby, with the winner advancing to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament set to take place in the United Kingdom from 25 July to 9 August.
Playing in Whangarei for the first time, it was the two local stars who combined for New Zealand’s first goal with Abby Erceg teeing up Hannah Wilkinson for an easy tap in after just six minutes.
German Bundesliga players Rebecca Smith, Sarah Gregorius and Amber Hearn all struck before half-time with Hearn’s goal the pick of them – a 25-yard bullet firing under Linda Bunaga in the 43rd minute.
Papua New Guinea did well to disrupt New Zealand’s rhythm for periods in the second half with Aida Gerota leading the backline and captain Deslyne Siniu looking lively in midfield.
But the waves of attack kept coming as substitute Rosie White made an immediate impact by heading in Ali Riley’s cross on 64 minutes with her first touch of the ball.
Ria Percival showed composure to score New Zealand’s sixth, her first international goal since the side’s last meeting in 2010, before White and Hearn rounded out the scoring to grab a brace each.
Football Ferns coach Tony Readings felt it was a professional performance.
“It’s pretty hard to fault them, they played for 90 minutes and were just relentless,” he said.
“There’s a lot of competition for places so today was a good opportunity to have a look at Rosie White, Hayley Moorwood and Betsy Hassett, and they came on and did the business. It makes our job harder and harder.”
Readings also acknowledged the opposition and said his side were made to work hard for the goals.
“They’re definitely far more athletic than we’ve seen them in the past. I would love to see them play a little bit more football because when they did today they actually hurt us quite a few times.”
Papua New Guinea coach Steven Mune admitted it was always going to be tough.
“We know New Zealand is a very good side and we saw that today,” he said.
“Their first two goals came from corner but otherwise I thought in the first half we played well as a unit and defended well. When we go to Papua New Guinea the heat is going to be with us and we will try to pay it back to them and score some goals.”
The return leg is set to take place at PMRL Stadium in Port Moresby on Wednesday 4 April at 2pm.

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