OFC World Cup qualifying: Tahiti 0 New Zealand 2

New Zealand have maintained their 100 percent record in the third round of World Cup qualifying with a comfortable 2-0 win over Tahiti.

The All Whites remain firm favourites to advance from Oceania to next year’s playoff against the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF for a place at Brazil 2014.

Perth Glory striker Shane Smeltz put the Kiwis ahead in the 24th minute when he tapped in at the far post after a mistake from Tahiti goalkeeper Xavier Samin.

Smeltz moved to outright second in the all-time All Whites goalscoring list with the goal, his 23rd for New Zealand.

In an often physical match, the first half was lacking chances, but the All Whites stuck to their guns and were rewarded eight minutes from time with a second.

Defender Ben Sigmund showed his strikers how it is done, heading home Tony Lochhead’s corner to seal the points.

With a perfect record of three wins from three, New Zealand lead New Caledonia by three points.