All Whites downed by Socceroos late goal
- Dave Worsley
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
The New Zealand All Whites have missed opportunities to defeat Australia to eventually fall to a 1-0 loss in game one of the series in Canberra.
It was in the 87th minute that Max Balard scored after he was missed by the defence to finish superbly. It was just moments after fellow Australian replacement Nestory Irankunda had headed over from close range.
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It will sting for the New Zealand side ahead of Tuesday’s return match at Go Media Stadium for the Soccer Ashes, though there were promising signs.
For the first half and into the second the All Whites were the dominant side with Ryan Thomas making a welcome return and showing true class.
Sapreet Singh was sharp and looked confident, however the finishing was absent when needed.
Captain Chris Wood was stopped twice twice by goalkeeper Paul Izzo after some good work through the midfield.
Both coaches had made extensive changes in the second half but the Australia bench had the bigger impact.
Darren Bazeley gave his stars some time off the pitch as Wood and Thomas were taken off in the 62 minute which showed in the sides play.
To start the game Bazeley selected Tyler Bindon and Michael Boxall in central defence, with Francis de Vries and Tim Payne on the outside while Thomas and Joe Bell were the midfield.
Max Crocombe started in goal while Finn Surnam and Ben Old were replacements late in the game for Singh and Elijah Just. respectively.