DOHA, Qatar – Bill Tuiloma continues to shine for New Zealand. The Portland Timbers center back scored twice in a 5-0 route of the Solomon Islands as New Zealand won the Oceania World Cup Qualifying Tournament final on Wednesday at Grand Hamad Stadium.
By winning the Oceania tournament, New Zealand will now face Costa Rica, who finished fourth in Concacaf’s World Cup qualifying, in an intercontinental playoff in Qatar in June for one of the remaining 2022 World Cup bids.
Tuiloma scored the opening goal for the All-Whites, heading home a corner kick in the 23rd minute, and then scored the final goal of the night – also off a set piece – in the 70th minute. He was a key figure defensively as well, contributing to a second consecutive shutout.
In total, Tuiloma played in three matches for New Zealand, joining the squad mid-tournament after the Timbers' match at FC Dallas on March 19, making two starts. Notably, he scored three goals and contributed to a pair of shutouts – including shutouts in each of the team’s knockout games – during the competition. Tuiloma was named the Man of the Match following a semifinal victory against Tahiti.
More on Tuiloma at the Oceania Qualifying Tournament
- NOTEBOOK | Tuiloma crucial in New Zealand Semifinal win over Tahiti
- POSTGAME | Tuiloma earns Man of the Match honors after semifinal
- NOTEBOOK | Tuiloma, New Zealand take next step in Oceania World Cup Qualifying tourney
- READ | Tuiloma called up for Oceania World Cup Qualifying Tournament
- WATCH | Tuiloma talks World Cup qualifying, being a dog dad with Nick Krupke
