DOHA, Qatar – Portland Timbers defender Bill Tuiloma and New Zealand have booked their place in the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament final and will take on the Solomon Islands on Wednesday, March 30.
At stake: a spot in an intercontinental playoff against Concacaf’s fourth-place team for the chance to earn a place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament final takes place Wednesday, at the Grand Hamad Stadium; kickoff is 10 a.m. (Pacific).
New Zealand defeated Tahiti, 1-0, in the tournament semifinal on Sunday at Grand Hamad Stadium. Tuiloma made his first start of the tournament for the All-Whites after joining the squad just ahead of the final group stage match. He aided in the shutout against Tahiti and contributed a dangerous chance in the second half that was cleared off the line on his way to earning Man of the Match honors.
It was the fourth shutout of the tournament for New Zealand.
During group play at the tournament, New Zealand finished atop Group B with a perfect 3-0-0 record against Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Fiji to advance to the knockout rounds.
Tuiloma has played in each of the two matches for New Zealand that he’s been available for, totaling 109 minutes, scoring one goal and contributing to one shutout.
More on Tuiloma at the Oceania Qualifying Tournament
