Marco Rojas bagged a double as New Zealand downed New Caledonia 2-0 to claim the first leg of their Oceania third-round World Cup qualifier in Auckland on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Melbourne Victory midfielder found the net just before half-time and again in the 72nd minute when he latched on to a back heel from his captain and Leeds striker Chris Wood.Wood was central to the New Zealand attack and after the game had drifted along for the first 30 minutes he ignited a late flurry towards the close of the first half.
After his own shot rebounded off the right post, he then fed Kosta Barbarouses who also hit the post before Rojas latched on to a deflection from Wood to weave past three defenders to score.
Wood expected the scrappy opening as the New Zealanders reunited for their World Cup campaign and said once they settled down they found the net.
“The first 10-15 minutes were always going to be a bit nervy, getting back into the campaign, World Cup qualifier there’s a lot on the line but the boys settled down after 20 and showed what we’re about,” he said.