Vanuatu's Brian Kaltak. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
Vanuatu captain Brian Kaltak says New Zealand plays another level of football, after the All Whites thrashed his team 8-1 in the second Group B FIFA World Cup 2026 OFC Qualifiers clash in Hamilton on Friday night.
Kaltak, who led the brave ni-Vanuatuans from his sweeper's role, said it was a tough clash but was happy with how his players stood up and fought on at FMG Stadium.
The All Whites qualified for the semi-finals with the win, in front of around 10,000 fans.
English Premier League player and captain Chris Wood led the onslaught with two goal before he left the field in the second spell.
It was Wood's first game at home, and he led his side to their biggest win over Vanuatu in recent history.
Kaltak said Wood's experience and that of his fellow professionals made the All Whites the superior team in the clash.
"They are a professional outfit and played a different level," the Central Mariners defender said after the game.
"But we tried our best and am proud of the team.
"They gave it their all."
All Whites captain Chris Wood Photo: DJ Mills / www.photosport.nz
Coach Juliano Schmeling said they knew it was going to be tough and just focused on their own game.
"It was going to be a tough game for us," he said. "We knew that."
Both Kaltak and Schmeling said they will now focus on Tahiti in a must-win game on Monday.
Matt Garbett, Tyler Binden, Elijah Just, Sarpeet Singh and Callum McCowatt also added their names to the scoresheet, with an own goal from Vanuatu adding to the tally.
Vanuatu got their goal through Jonathan Spokey Jack to equalise early after Garbett had opened the scoring for the hosts.
Five goals in the first half previewed what was to come later on.
In the end Vanuatu were left to just try and keep the scoreline respectable.
Vanuatu's loss means they must win against Tahiti in Auckland on Monday night if they are to secure a semi-final spot.
Tahiti, who defeated Samoa 3-0 earlier in the first game in the afternoon, will also be chasing a win - with the winner of that clash joining New Zealand as qualifiers from Group B.
The rain that had been an issue in the first game ended before kick-off and the pitch surface improved, making play flowing better.
Vanuatu got the ball rolling from centre circle, as captain Brian Kaltak sent a long kick upfield from kick-off.
But New Zealand opened their scoring in the 9th minute saw Garbett controlling the ball outside the box and sending that into the net, past Dick Sablan in goal for Vanuatu, as the All Whites opened the scoring.
Wood scored his double within a minute and the fire was doused off the Vanatu team.
New Zealand led 5-1 at halftime.
The All Whites continued from where they left off in the first spell, getting into action early when play resumed in the second half.
Vanuatu managed to regain the ball from their half and countered but Jared Clark's shot was off target.
In the 55th minute Storm Roux beat Sablan in meeting a cross in mid-air but his header sailed wide with an empty goalmouth in front of him.
But Sablan made two good saves in the 67th minute as Wood set up play inside the box.
Then in in the 73rd minute it was Elijah Just, who had missed a good chance in front of the goalmouth, who slotted the ball past a diving Sablan, for New Zealand's sixth goal.
Replacement Sarpeet Singh who slammed one to the roof of the net after he first-timed the ball from a Garbett pass in front of the goalmouth, as New Zealand continued their dominance with one-touch passes, moving down the flanks and pushing through the middle as well.
Callum McCowatt added his tally as the replacements joined the show.
