Des Buckingham Picture: Mistral Sport
FORMER Oxford United coach Des Buckingham is celebrating after steering New Zealand to a gold medal at the Pacific Games.
His side scored twice after the 85th minute to come from behind and beat New Caledonia 2-1 in the final.
Buckingham, from Cowley, took a young squad as preparation for the Olympic qualifiers in September.
And the success will have strengthened his status as a candidate to take over the senior All Whites side, which is vacant.
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