Two early goals from Ben Waine have led the All Whites to a convincing opening victory over the Solomon Islands to start their OFC Men's Nations Cup defence. Make sure you join me again on Tribe on Friday afternoon for all the action from their next clash with Vanuatu. It's been a pleasure bringing you all the action from Port Vila this afternoon. For now, Harrison Ryburn signing out.

Next up for the All Whites is a clash with co-hosts Vanuatu back here in Port Vila on Friday, with top spot in Group A on the line. Darren Bazeley's men will probably be expecting a sterner test in that one, particuarly with Central Coast Mariners star Brian Kaltack marshaling the Vanuatu backline.

A difficult tournament for the Solomon Islands, who crash out at the group stage of the OFC Men's Nations Cup for the first time since 2008. They knew this was a must-win after their opening defeat to Vanuatu, and the pressure told early, as they made an abundance of defensive errors and were torn apart by the All Whites attack. By the the time they had settled into their structures, they were already two goals down and heading out. Jacob Moli's plan was for his side to press high and take the game to New Zealand, but they left far too much space in-behind for the likes of Surman, Rufer, and Bindon to send long balls from the back. The Solomons did have a lot more of the ball in the second half and were much improved, even coming close to scoring late on with Raphael Leai'i, but were ultimately made to pay for their poor start. Attention now turns to World Cup qualifying at the end of the year, where they'll be hoping to give a far better account of themselves.

Alongside the victory today, Darren Bazeley also had the chance to blood in six new All Whites, handing Lukas Kelly-Heald, Alex Paulsen, Fin Conchie, Oskar Van Hattum, Sam Sutton, and Jesse Randall, international debuts. That inexperience, combined with the heat and humidity, showed slightly in the second half as New Zealand took their foot off the gas, struggling to carve open too many big opportunties as the contest progressed. Their fast start had already done the damage in the opening stanza though, and Bazeley didn't exactly pressure his side to push forward late on. Much of that early dominance was emphasised by playing around the aggressive and attacking press of the Solomon Islands, opening up space down the flanks and in the middle of the park, which led to a couple of easy goals for Waine. The striker was undoubtedly the star of the show with his two early strikes, but Barbarouses also impressed as captain, and Rufer was a rock in midfield. Sutton didn't do much wrong on international debut either, whilst Just and Old beat the defence numerous times in that first half.

Fulltime in Port Vila and the All Whites have opened their OFC Men's Nations Cup title defence with a comfortable three-goal victory over the Solomon Islands. All three came in the opening stanza, with Ben Waine scoring twice inside the first eleven minutes, and Kosta Barbarouses adding the third in first half stoppage time. It's a result that already assures New Zealand of a spot in the semi-finals after just one group match, whilst the Solomon Islands make an early exit after two defeats from their two games.

POST! Conchie holds up play in midfield as the All Whites look to finish on the front foot. A loose pass is pounced upon by Leai'i though, and the winger takes off on the counter down the other end of the field. He drives down the right-hand side of the box and takes aim on his right foot, but his effort strikes the base of the right post and the Solomon Islands are denied a consolation goal.

Into four minutes of injury-time at the end of this one, and the All Whites finally push back up over halfway. Kelly-Heald and Barbarouses trade passes, before Rufer presses forward. The latter attempts to thread a pass in-behind for Mata inside the box, but Mango does well to come off his line and collect.

SHOT! Leai'i picks up the ball at the top of the box as the Solomons continue to search for a late consolation, before flicking it off for Ohasio in support. The latter takes aim with an audacious effort from long range, but pulls his left-footed shot well wide of the left post.