AFC Bournemouth signed highly-regarded goalkeeping prospect Paulsen from A-League team Wellington Phoenix earlier this month. The keeper signed a four-year contract.
In the OFC Nations Cup Group A opener, the 21-year-old began in goal as the Kiwis easily defeated the Solomon Islands, with all of the goals coming in the first half.
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Ben Waine’s brace put New Zealand ahead 2-0 in just 11 minutes, and Kosta Barbarouses’ goal extended the lead deep into first-half stoppage time.
With five wins in a row, New Zealand is the most successful team in the competition’s history. On Friday, they take on the hosts, Vanuatu.
The fourth team in Group A, New Caledonia, withdrew from the competition on the eve of the event, so the Kiwis have already advanced to the semi-final round of the competition.
This is due to the Solomon Islands’ inability to place among the top two after having already faced Vanuatu and New Zealand.
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