NOUMEA, New Caledonia — New Zealand advanced as Oceania's representative in 2010 World Cup qualifying after a 3-1 win over New Caledonia on Saturday that clinched top spot in the regional playoffs.

Shane Smeltz scored two second-half goals for New Zealand, which will next play the fifth-place team from ongoing Asian qualifiers, with the winner to go to South Africa in 2010.

With two of its matches remaining in the second round, New Zealand clinched the group with four wins in its first four matches in the round-robin group.

Ben Sigmund put New Zealand ahead in the first half, but Michael Hmae equalized for New Caledonia shortly after the break.

Smeltz's first strike came midway through the second half and then he made the Kiwi victory secure with his second 14 minutes from fulltime.

Smeltz's two goals maintained his record of having scored in each of New Zealand's second-round matches, taking his total to six goals.

In the other Oceania qualifier Saturday, Fiji beat Vanuatu 2-0.

Although qualification has been decided, the round robin will continue, with those two teams to meet again on Wednesday, when New Caledonia is away at New Zealand. Fiji hosts New Zealand on Nov. 19 to close out the group games.

The win Saturday also gave New Zealand a spot in next year's Confederations Cup in South Africa.