LATEST Cherries recruit Alex Paulsen kept a clean sheet on his international debut for New Zealand, helping his side beat the Solomon Islands 3-0 in the OFC Nations Cup.

Earlier this month it was announced that AFC Bournemouth had signed highly-rated goalkeeping prospect Paulsen from A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix, the keeper arriving on a four-year deal.

The 21-year-old started in between the sticks as the Kiwis comfortably defeated the Solomon Islands in their Group A opener of the OFC Nations Cup, with all the goals consigned to the first half.

New Zealand found themselves 2-0 up within 11 minutes thanks to a Ben Waine brace, before Kosta Barbarouses made it three deep into first-half stoppage time.

The most successful side in the history of the competition with five previous wins, favourites New Zealand next face hosts Vanuatu on Friday.

New Caledonia, the fourth team in Group A, pulled out of the competition on the eve of the tournament, meaning the Kiwis have already qualified for the next round of the competition, the semi-final stage.

That is because the Solomon Islands cannot finish in the top two, having already played both New Zealand and Vanuatu.