New Zealand took a big step towards qualifying for the under-20 World Cup on Saturday with a spiteful 3-2 win over Fiji in Auckland.
After falling behind 1-0 to a Roy Krishna opener, the Kiwis rebounded with goals either side of halftime to midfielders Chris James (penalty) and Dan Keat.
Krishna then tied things up with a penalty of his own before Keat finished the job in the 77th minute with his second header of the match.
There was a spiteful end to the match as Fiji's Kelepi Qaqa was sent off for elbowing New Zealand striker Jeremy Brockie while a police escort was needed to take referee Nelson Sogo from the field.
In Saturday's other results, the Solomon Islands took a 2-1 over Tahiti while New Caledonia were 3-1 winners over Vanuatu.
The Kiwis now sit top of the table after four of the six rounds of the competition.
New Zealand's next match is against Vanuatu on Monday.
