New Caledonia

New Caledonians gave All whites a tough battle until a penalty in the 48th minute right after time broke the deadlock.

Woods fired a banana kick just outside the 18 yards over the NCL  defence that slipped off the goal keepers hands and into the net behind.

New Zealand now secures the first spot for the finals as they await the winner of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Island encounter tonight at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.

Kapuls held off the New Caledonian’s strong side in the opening minutes through goalkeeper Ronald Warisan, despite their rivals’ many attempts to score.

Warrisan worked hard to defend the goal before a dangerous jump outside the box got him a yellow card.

However, PNG regrouped and it was once again a quick footy from skipper David Muta, with just 10 minutes before half-time, that sends in PNG’s utility Tommy Semmy who moved past the NC stopper Judikael Ixoee, to power a right foot to the back of the net.

This was announced at the weekend when the president of New Caledonia, Philippe Germain, met with Vanuatu's Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai.

According to RNZI until now ni-Vanuatu wanting to travel to New Caledonia have had to endure long waits at the French Embassy in Port Vila to secure a visa.

“Nomata we mi wan Ni-Vanuatu mo yufala New Caledonian, kanak, caldoche mo ol narawan be long ae blong ol francophone famili, yumi ol brata mo sista insaed Pacifique Ocean”, PM Salwai i talem.

Both teams ended up with no goals in the first half and found it hard to play in a slippery condition at Port Vila Stadium.

After the break it was the visitors who continued to pressure high and all their hard work paid off when their captain Betrand Kai finally slotted in a perfect shot past Vanuatu keeper, Selonie Iaruel.

RNZI reports the national squad have played a couple of local friendly matches in recent weeks but haven't played an international since beating Fiji in November.

The local-based players have been training together since last month and the squad will be close to full strength, with Bill Nicholas arriving from New Caledonia and Solomon Islands-based trio Brian Kaltack, Kensi Tangis and Daniel Natou already in town.

The vice president of the southern province, Martine Lagneau, says the island had 114,000 visitors in 2015, the highest on record and an increase of 7,000 visitors since 2014.

RN ZI reports most visitors came from nearby Australia and New Zealand, which recorded increases of 15.8 percent and 25.8 percent respectively.

Meteorological authorities in the territory have warned of three metre high swells for the islands of Mare and Isle des Pins.

Ula was downgraded to a category three storm yesterday afternoon after leaving minimal damage on Vanuatu's southern group.

A total fire ban is in force as firefighters continue to battle dozens of bushfires across the archipelago as a prolonged dry spell continues.

Last Sunday, a helicopter involved in fighting a fire near Voh, about 300 kilometres north of Noumea, crashed, killing its pilot and a mechanic on board.

Only 20 millimetres of rain fell last month, and authorities expect the situation to worsen as what's expected to be one of the worst El Niño systems in over a decade intensifies.

The stoppage began last night and will end tomorrow.

The French High Commission has used its powers to order a skeleton service to maintain some flights in and out of Noumea.

However, the looming strike prompted the territory's international carrier, Aircalin, to bring some flights forward.

Earlier this week, the carrier decided to take legal action against the controllers' recent weekend strikes, with its director saying the strikes were timed to only disrupt Aircalin flights.