New Zealand referee Mike Hester's soccer World Cup adventure will continue into the knockout stages after he was appointed the fourth official to the round of 16 clash between USA and Ghana.

Hester made history by becoming the first New Zealander to referee a World Cup match - between South Korea and Greece on June 12 - aided by assistant referees (linesmen) Jan Hendrik Hintz, also from New Zealand and Tevita Maksini from Tonga.

Hester, an Auckland based naval officer, was also used as a fourth official for England's match with Algeria.

Hamilton schoolteacher Peter O'Leary was fourth official for five matches - Algeria v Slovenia, France v Mexico, Greece v Argentina, Cameroon v Denmark and Brazil v Portugal.

Kiwi Brent Best and Solomon Islander Mathew Taro, who complete O'Leary's referee trio have alternated as reserve assistant referee in those same matches.

Hester's and O'Leary's teams are among thirty trios selected for the World Cup finals.

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