New Zealand were made to work hard as they saw off a tough American Samoa team 3-0 on the final day of Group A action in Round 2 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Oceania Qualifiers.
Having enjoyed two comfortable victories over Samoa and Solomon Islands respectively, it was a marked difference for the Football Ferns against Amanda Cromwell’s side.
It was a first half low of chances as New Zealand dominated possession but struggled to work a clear sight on goal, restricted to threatening from set pieces and efforts from range.
When the breakthrough did arrive, it was virtue of the penalty spot when referee Mingxin Mu spotting an infringement following a corner.
Kelli Brown stepped up and just about snuck her effort in the corner, despite the best efforts – and a strong hand – from goalkeeper Ayana Kirimasi.
The lead was doubled shortly after the break, when captain Claudia Bunge nodded in at the near post from a corner, as American Samoa’s resistance slowly started to buckle.
Indiah-Paige Riley was brought off the bench by head coach Michael Mayne and certainly made an impact, adding her team’s third goal with a rasping left-footed effort that flashed into the top corner.
New Zealand now head home for a semi-final in Aotearoa as they look to seal their place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™.
American Samoa: 0
New Zealand: 3 (Kelli BROWN (P) 41′, Claudia BUNGE 51′, Indiah-Paige RILEY 71′)
HT: 0-0
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek