■ OCEANIA
AP, WELLINGTON
New Caledonia kept alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when they beat Vanuatu 3-0 in an Oceania regional qualifying match in Noumea on Saturday.
Pierre Wajoka opened the scoring for New Caledonia in the 30th minute, giving the home team a 1-0 lead which they took to halftime.
Michel Hmae scored New Caledonia’s second on 60 minutes and Patrick Diaike sealed a convincing win three minutes before time.
New Caledonia moved to within a point of group leaders New Zealand, who have played one less game. New Zealand and New Caledonia are scheduled to meet in home-and-away matches in September.
The top two teams will advance to a two-match playoff to determine the Oceania winner, who will play the fifth-placed team from Asian qualifiers for a place at the 2010 World Cup.
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