The All Whites now know the details of the route they must take to earn a shot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia after confirmation of the dates and venues for the Stage 3 final of Oceania qualifying. New Zealand earned a place in the final in impressive fashion, holding off the challenges of New Caledonia and Fiji to top Group A without conceding a goal. The race was much tighter in Group B as the Solomon Islands edged out Tahiti and Papua New Guinea on the last match day to secure a home-and-away meeting with the All Whites. Anthony Hudson's side will enjoy home advantage first up, taking on the Solomon Islands at Auckland's QBE Stadium on Friday 1 September, before heading to Honiara for the return leg at Lawson Tama Stadium on Tuesday 5 July. The aggregate winner across the two legs will then progress to a two-legged intercontinental play-off against the fifth-placed team from CONMEBOL in November for a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 03, 2017 01:41 UTC