![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Z7JADmLUcEw5Hb8f.jpg\")
(Photo\/ OFC Media via Phototek)<\/p>\n
Press Release \u2013 Oceania Football Confederation<\/p>\n
Having enjoyed two comfortable victories over Samoa and Solomon Islands respectively, it was a marked difference for the Football Ferns against Amanda Cromwells side.<\/p>\n
New Zealand were made to work hard as they saw off a tough American Samoa team 3-0 on the final day of Group A action in Round 2 of the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup 2027\u2122 Oceania Qualifiers.<\/p>\n
(Photo\/ OFC Media via Phototek)<\/p>\n
Having enjoyed two comfortable victories over Samoa and Solomon Islands respectively, it was a marked difference for the Football Ferns against Amanda Cromwell\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
It was a first half low of chances as New Zealand dominated possession but struggled to work a clear sight on goal, restricted to threatening from set pieces and efforts from range.<\/p>\n
When the breakthrough did arrive, it was virtue of the penalty spot when referee Mingxin Mu spotting an infringement following a corner.<\/p>\n
Kelli Brown stepped up and just about snuck her effort in the corner, despite the best efforts \u2013 and a strong hand \u2013 from goalkeeper Ayana Kirimasi.<\/p>\n
The lead was doubled shortly after the break, when captain Claudia Bunge nodded in at the near post from a corner, as American Samoa\u2019s resistance slowly started to buckle.<\/p>\n
Indiah-Paige Riley was brought off the bench by head coach Michael Mayne and certainly made an impact, adding her team\u2019s third goal with a rasping left-footed effort that flashed into the top corner.<\/p>\n
New Zealand now head home for a semi-final in Aotearoa as they look to seal their place in the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup 2027\u2122.<\/p>\n
American Samoa: 0
New Zealand: 3 (Kelli BROWN (P) 41, Claudia BUNGE 51, Indiah-Paige RILEY 71)<\/p>\n
HT: 0-0<\/p>\n
\nContent Sourced from scoop.co.nz<\/a>
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