Referee Harry Attison Event 2000 OFC Nations Cup | Date 28 June 2000 | |
Champion Australia national soccer team Venues Papeete, Stade Pater Te Hono Nui People also search for 1980 OFC Nations Cup Final | ||
The 2000 OFC Nations Cup Final was an association football match between Australia and New Zealand at Stade Pater in Papeete, Tahiti on 28 June 2000. It was the Australia's third OFC Nations Cup win.
Contents
Australia
As finalists in the 1998 OFC Nations Cup, and the OFC's top-ranked side, the "Socceroos" were given entry straight into the tournament finals. They progressed comfortably through the group stage, accounting for Cook Islands and Solomon Islands comfortably 17-0 and 6-0 respectively. In the semi-final, they played Vanuatu, winning 1-0 in a match that was closer than expected. Australia's Clayton Zane was the tournament's top scorer going into the final, with 5 goals.
New Zealand
Like Australia, New Zealand were given direct entry into the tournament finals, as 1998 OFC Nations Cup champions and the OFC's second ranked side. They beat both Tahiti and Vanuatu by 2 goals to progress from the group stage. In the semi-finals, they played Solomon Islands and won 2-0 to move through to the final.
Analysis
Despite New Zealand having won the 1998 OFC Nations Cup final, Australia went into the game as favourites, ranked 15 spots ahead of New Zealand in FIFA World Rankings.
First half
Australia was the better side for much of the match, although New Zealand did create some chances. Australia took the lead 5 minutes from half time, as Shaun Murphy scored off a Stan Lazaridis corner.
Second half
Australia's ascendency continued, and when Danny Tiatto's cross was finished by Craig Foster midway through the second half, the result was all but secured for Australia.
Post match
Australia's win qualified them for the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, and was their third OFC Nations Cup win their first since 1996.