Soccer · Worldsoccer
New Zealand win Oceania Nations final
Sunday, 14 July 2002 09:55New Zealand beat Australia 1-0 in the Oceania Nations Cup final in Auckland on Sunday to earn the right to contest the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2003. New Zealand scored the game's only goal in the 79th minute when Washington DC-based Ryan Nelsen volleyed home an Aaran Lines free kick from close range.
Australia dominated the early stages and were unlucky not to take the lead in the 10th minute when veteran Kiwi goalkeeper Jason Batty pulled off a magnificent save to deny the championship's top scorer, Joel Porter. However, New Zealand withstood the pressure and looked the stronger of the sides in the second half as both teams sought a winning goal.
Filed by James Shortt
