Michael McGlinchey has marshalled the midfield for the All Whites at the Oceania Nations Cup.

Captain Rory Fallon rated it one of his toughest football matches as the All Whites hobbled into the 2017 Confederations Cup on penalties.

It required every ounce of energy and fortitude they had, but the All Whites booked their berth in Russia. After two hours of play could not separate them, New Zealand held their nerve to edge hosts Papua New Guinea 4-2 on penalties and win the Oceania Nations Cup on Saturday.

And as is usually the case when spot kicks are required, a goalkeeper was the hero, Kiwi gloveman Stefan Marinovic producing two superb saves to ultimately give the All Whites the title.

The triumph, which required New Zealand to go much deeper than most predicted against a Kapuls side roared on by a near-capacity home crowd in Port Moresby, is hugely significant in regards to their ambitions to reach the 2018 World Cup.

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"It was a difficult game, they put us to the sword today but we held our nerve at the end. But it was one of the toughest games I've been in," an elated Fallon said.

"It was very nerve-racking to be out there when they went on the counter attack but our whole team on defence was unreal today. I never felt like they really put us under pressure with clear-cut chances and by the end everyone was just sort of hobbling towards the penalties."

The All Whites will join hosts Russia, 2014 World Cup winners Germany, Australia (Asia), Chile (South America) and Mexico (North/Central America, Carribean), plus representatives from Europe and Africa, at the Confederations Cup next June and July.

That not only guarantees coach Anthony Hudson's team three valuable fixtures against high-quality international opposition, it ensures a pay-day of around $2.5 million.

But faced by a determined and dogged PNG side that refused to roll over, the tournament favourites came much closer to missing out on all those rewards than they would have hoped to.

With the breeze at their backs, New Zealand had all the early territory and it was quickly clear they would not sway from the direct approach that had taken them to the final.

There was an early chance in the third minute when Fallon headed on a threatening Bill Tuiloma long throw towards goal and that mode of attack became familiar as the half wore on.

The All Whites were often happy to play for sideline throws in the front third that allowed Tuiloma the opportunity to hurl the ball into the penalty area and the numerous throw-ins were a reflection of a stop-start opening 30 minutes.

New Zealand used their territorial advantage to take the direct route towards the PNG box, rather than building up play down the flanks.

Front two Fallon and Kosta Barbarouses were also not shy of having a dig from distance when they found themselves on the ball in space, but the hosts' well-organised defence continued to repel the Kiwi attack.

Growing in confidence the longer they denied the All Whites, PNG even managed to finish the half in the ascendancy.

Nigel Dabingyaba's powerful drive forced a diving save out of Marinvovic, while several chances on the counter-attack and the Kapuls' first corner followed before halftime.

PNG carried that confidence as they turned with the wind , Roger Gunemba giving Marinovic a decent fright in the first minute of the second when an attempted cross almost snuck under the crossbar.

The increasing openness of the encounter soon forced Hudson to go to his bench, Marco Rojas injected for Monty Patterson in midfield and Jeremy Brockie coming on for a tiring Barbarouses.

But the changes didn't prevent the hosts from continuing to keep the Kiwi defence well and truly on their toes, the noise coming from the stands rising with every minute.

As the half wore and legs became more weary in the humid conditions, the contrast in styles of the two sides became more and more evident.

Neither side, though, genuinely looked like breaking the deadlock and despite a flurry of half-chances for both in the final 20 minutes the match remained scoreless when the whistle came for the end of normal time.

Extra time was much the same and while New Zealand had the better of the first and PNG the second, it stayed 0-0 as the clock went past 120 minutes, before the title was decided from the spot.

New Zealand 0 Papua New Guinea 0. Penalties: 4-2. End of normal time: 0-0. Halftime: 0-0

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