Chris Wood has become the All Whites’ all-time leading goal-scorer after scoring twice to beat Fiji 4-0 at the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament.
Wood scored his 29th and 30th international goals in his 62nd appearance to move ahead of Vaughan Coveny on the all-time scoring list, while also booking New Zealand’s place in the semifinals in the process.Wood opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime by nodding a Clayton Lewis free-kick in at the far post.
The All Whites doubled their lead through substitute Elijah Just in the 71st minute when he turned and shot on the edge of the six yard box.
Wood, one of seven changes made by coach Danny Hay after their opening win over Papua New Guinea, broke Coveny’s record when he was slipped through by Just and curled his shot past Mohammed Alam.
Clayton Lewis added a fourth goal from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time after Logan Rogerson was judged to have been clipped on the ribs by Alam while challenging for a header.
All Whites 4 (Chris Wood 45’, 73’, Elijah Just 71’, Clayton Lewis pen-93’) Fiji 0
HT: 1-0