New Zealand have earned a 2-2 draw in the second leg of the OFC playoff against Solomon Is. The result gives them an 8-3 win on aggregate and a place in the OFC/​CONMEBOL playoff.

Having won the first leg 6-1 at home, the All Whites needed only to avoid a heavy defeat in Honiara, but they took the initiative from the start, and soon took the lead as well through Myer BEVAN’s first international goal. An own goal shortly thereafter doubled their advantage.

The Bonitos fought back, though, and a penalty earned in the 28th minute was converted by Micah LEA’ALAFA. Henry FA’ARODO scored the equaliser, also from the spot, in the 77th. From that point, the visitors held firm to complete the aggregate victory.

For the third consecutive qualifying campaign, New Zealand will represent the OFC in the intercontinental playoffs. They face the fifth placed team from the CONMEBOL group phase in NOV 2017.