The Football Ferns have secured a semi-final berth at the OFC Women's Nations Cup in style, sweeping aside the Cook Islands 6-0 and post their second successive victory of the tournament.
Football Ferns defender Ria Percival Photo: Photosport
The defending champions were hugely impressive in their opening match several days ago, outclassing Tonga 11-0 to underline their status as favourites and send out a message to any other side with designs on wrestling the title off them.
Even more worryingly for those rivals, last night's display proved the Ferns have the squad depth to maintain their level of performance across the tournament, head coach Tom Sermanni electing to make eight changes to the starting line-up from the Tonga rampage but New Zealand again proving far too strong for their Pacific Island opposition.
In stifling heat and humidity at the Stade Numa Daly in Noumea, it was a memorable evening for at least three players - who all got on the scoresheet in a senior international for the first ever time.
Emma Rolston lead the way in doing so with a double while Katie Rood and Sarah Morton also got off the mark for their country and Grace Jale took her tally to two, having opened her international account against Tonga. But it was a more well-established name that got the ball rolling, centurion Annalie Longo opening the scoring early on to set the six-goal victory in motion.
The hugely experienced playmaker was one of only three players to retain her place in the side - the others being captain Ali Riley and midfield lynchpin Katie Bowen - as Sermanni made full use of the depth of talent at his disposal by ringing the changes.
But the new-look side did not take long to click, New Zealand dominating possession right from the early stages and earning the reward their efforts deserved on 13 minutes, Longo finding the bottom corner with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area.
It was 2-0 just seconds later in stunning fashion, Anna Green volleying a Katie Bowen ball back across goal for Emma Rolston to also meet on the full and break her international duck in just her third appearance. At that stage, it looked like the crowd could be in for another double-digit triumph but the Cook Islands had a clear game plan and kept their defensive shape to frustrate New Zealand for long periods.
It wasn't until just before the break that Rolston had her second - both of the game and her Football Ferns career - after heading an inch-perfect cross from fullback Riley in off the crossbar.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with the Ferns enjoying almost complete possession of the ball but the well-structured Cook Islands proving difficult to play through. Their stoic rear-guard effort was finally broken again with just over 20 minutes left though, Rood following in Rolston's footsteps to notch her first goal on the international stage. It was well worth the wait, the Bristol City striker finding space outside the box and unleashing an unstoppable rocket past the impressive Marjorie Toru in goal.
It looked like that's how the score would remain as the clock ticked down but an evening of debut goals continued when substitute Morton meet a deep cross at the back post to join Rolston and Rood as first-time scorers in the last minute of regulation time. She nearly had her second a few moments later but struck the crossbar, allowing Jale to follow up and round off the scoring at 6-0.
The only downside to another pleasing day for Sermanni was the worrying first-half withdrawal of midfielder Malia Steinmetz, who appeared to be feeling the effects of the intense heat inside the Stade Numa Daly.
Sermanni and the rest of his coaching staff will now prepare the Football Ferns for their remaining pool match against Fiji on Sunday, which will determine who finishes top of Group B.
