Solomons create a soccer sensation
 |  Celebrations as the Solomon Islands send shockwaves through Oceania |
ADELAIDE, Australia -- Soccer minnows the Solomon Islands knocked New Zealand out of the 2006 World Cup qualifying after a shock 2-2 draw against Australia in Adelaide.
Commins Menapi was the hero for the 154th ranked Solomon Islands, netting in the 44th and 76th minutes to earn a fighting point against the Oceania Nations Cup winners.
That sent the Solomons to next year's final Oceania qualifying -- against Australia -- with the winners facing the fifth-ranked South American side for a place in Germany.
Earlier New Zealand gave themselves every chance of beating the Solomon Islands for second spot with a 2-0 win over Fiji.
Australian coach Frank Farina chose an inexperienced starting line-up and paid the price in a dispiriting result for the supposed strongest team of the region.
Farina blamed the draw on a lack of intensity from his team but denied it was embarrassing.
"No, I think it was a reality check more than anything," he said.
"It was their World Cup final tonight and I don't think in the first half as individuals we did match their intensity."
New Zealanders may feel bitter at Farina's selection policy, but the All Whites have only themselves to blame for their humiliating situation after losing 4-2 to Vanuatu during the week.
Vanuatu subsequently finished last in the six-team tournament.
The Socceroos were made to pay when Menapi dummied around defender Adrian Madaschi in the 44th minute and smashed in a left-footed shot.
Farina made three half-time substitutions, putting on Simon Colosimo, Mile Sterjovski and Ahmad Elrich for Max Vieri, David Tarka and Alex Brosque.
It made a difference, with Australia scoring through Tim Cahill, his sixth goal in three matches, in the 51st minute, and Brett Emerton with a neat volley in the 53rd to hit the lead.
But the game changed dramatically when defender Patrick Kisnorbo received his second yellow card for a crude tackle four minutes later, reducing the Socceroos to 10 men.
Menapi sent his side into raptures in the 76th minute, when fired low past goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac to create the Solomons' greatest soccer moment.
In Sunday's other match, Tahiti won their first match of the series with a 90th minute winner by Gabriel Wajoka in a 2-1 triumph over Vanuatu.
