Solomon Islands are set to play host to New Zealand this Wednesday at Lawson Tama Stadium in the final match of OFC World Cup qualifying. Kickoffs at 20:00 EAT.
The Solomon Islands are dreaming of featuring in the World Cup for the first time in their history and are one win away from their best-ever run in World Cup qualifying. The Solomon Islands have experienced a slightly more intense campaign then their opponents, as their qualifying group was affected by COVID-19 outbreaks in the respective squads of Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. The home team however did end the group phase on a high, as they cruised to a 3-1 win against Tahiti to secure top spot in Group A.
Solomon Islands prepare for this fixture in high spirits following 3-2 WC Qualifiers – Oceania victory to beat Papua New Guinea in their last encounter. In that game, Solomon Islands had 54% possession, 17 shots with seven of them on target and goals scored by Alwin Hou 33’, 65’ and Raphael Ohanua Lea’I Jr 71’. Papua New Guinea got 15 shots with seven of them on target.
New Zealand on the other hand is bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2010, and they enter Wednesday’s contest in imperious form after winning all four of their games in qualifying. New Zealand squad oozing confidence, they made light work of New Caledonia in their final group fixture as Wood added two more goals to his qualifying tally in a destructive 7-1 victory.
New Zealand comes into this meeting on off the back of 1-0 WC Qualifiers – Oceania triumph versus Tahiti in their most recent outing. In that game, New Zealand had 69% possession, 13 shots with seven of them on target and a goal scored by Liberato Cacase 70’. Tahiti got three shots with only one of them on target.
Solomon Islands vs New Zealand head to head
New Zealand boasts the upper hand in the history of this fixture having won six times out of the seven head to head meetings. There have been a draw once and the Solomon Islands are yet to win.
- Solomon Islands2-2 New Zealand 2017/09/05
- New Zealand 6-1 Solomon Islands 2017/09/01
- New Zealand1 – 0Solomon Islands 2016/06/04
- Solomon Islands 0-2 New Zealand 2013/03/26
- New Zealand 6-1 Solomon Islands 2012/09/11
Home
- Solomon Islands 3-2 Papua New Guinea
- Solomon Islands 3-1 Tahiti
- Cook Islands 0-2 Solomon Islands
- Fiji 4-4 Solomon Islands
- Solomon Islands 13-0 American Samoa
Away
- New Zealand 1-0 Tahiti
- New Zealand 7-1 New Caledonia
- New Zealand 4-0 Fiji
- Papua New Guinea 0-1 New Zealand
- Jordan 3-1 New Zealand
Solomon Islands team news
The hosts have not confirmed any fitness or suspension concerns yet.
New Zealand team news
Danny Hay comes into this meeting with a clean bill of health.
Prediction and odds
New Zealand is our favourites in this meeting being 31 places higher in the FIFA World Rankings than the opponents here
- New Zealand win
- Goals under 2.5
- Both teams to score (No)
