New Zealand v Fiji
WCQ - OFC, Finals
Ryan Thomas - 27', 68'
Ryan Thomas brace sends New Zealand through
ByESPN staff
Updated: May 17, 2023, 12:46 am
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
New Zealand advanced to the final stage of World Cup qualifying in the Oceania region by beating Fiji 2-0 Tuesday.
Ryan Thomas scored both goals in the Group A match, the first in the 27th minute and the other in the 68th.
The win leaves New Zealand nine points clear at the top, with New Caledonia and Fiji only having two matches left to play.
New Zealand will face either Tahiti, Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands in the final qualifying round in September. The winners will then meet the fifth-place team from South America for a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Tahiti are currently top of Group B.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Terms: draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL.
Copyright: © 2026 ESPN Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.

