New Caledonia

In the second half it was all New Caledonia as PNG tried to survive chances to Watrone and Ausu to preserve their lead.

In the 56^th minute New Caledonia found a perfect combination when Lakae failed to collect a loose ball as New Caledonians leveled the scores at 1 all.

Minutes later New Caledonia found a chance to extend their lead from a direct penalty when Bran Ausu was brought down in the box before Thomas Gope-Fenepej duly converted the penalty as NCL took the lead for the first time, 1-2 in the second half.

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.

New Caledonia went into their match against Samoa knowing that their semi-finals fate could come down to goal difference, but also knowing that the Samoans would be no walkover.

It took Les Cagous close to 20 minutes to break down their resistance, with Roy Kayara’s well taken shot opening the scoring before Kevin Nemia doubled his side’s advantage ten minutes later.

Karaya grabbed his second and Cesar Zeoula made up for his penalty miss against Tahiti by converting from the spot to make it 4-0 going into the break.

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.

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.

Last night a rescue operation was underway to recover the victim who was helping to douse the flames of a fire at Voh in the north of the territory.

Homes were evacuated and the main highway was cut on Sunday when fire engulfed bush in the area.

About 200 hectares of vegetation was burnt and about 20 homes threatened.

Three helicopters were brought in to help fight the fire which also involved security personnel who led convoys of motorists to safety.

Though best known for its stunning lagoon, pristine beaches and diverse wildlife, New Caledonia's economy actually relies heavily on nickel, discovered here in the 19th century.

The price of nickel -- essential to the manufacture of stainless steel -- has plunged 35 percent so far this year to a six-and-a-half year low of less than US$10,000 (9,000 euros) a tonne.

A slowdown in economic growth in China, the world's biggest consumer of nickel, and stockpiles of the metal amounting to more than 450,000 tonnes, have depressed the market.