New Caledonia produced a superb second half to defeat Tahiti 4-0 in Oceania World Cup qualifying on Wednesday.

With just four countries remaining in the bid to secure a play-off spot against a team from North America – with a place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals up for grabs – New Caledonia lost their first match to New Zealand, 2-0.

But they bounced back in impressive fashion, destroying a flimsy Tahiti backline in Papeete with four goals in 34 second-half minutes.

Cesar Lolohea opened the scoring after 55 minutes and Bertrand Kai doubled New Caledonia's lead just seconds later.

Kai was on the scoresheet again just after the hour-mark before Georges Gope-Fenepej wrapped up the rout in the dying stages.

New Caledonia are second in the group with three points from their two matches, only behind New Zealand, while Tahiti are bottom, without a point.