Bazeley ends All Whites stint with win over India
The All Whites have claimed a series win over India after defeating 3-0 in the first international football match at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.
The result also saw players give departing coach Darren Bazeley a fitting farewell in front of a sold-out crowd as his tenure came to an end following 43 matches in charge of the All Whites.
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After Thursday’s 5-0 defeat at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, India looked to have improved their defensive solidity as they frustrated the New Zealand attack at times in the early stages of the opening half.
But the visitors couldn’t prevent Finn Surman from having the perfect Christchurch homecoming as Vishal Kaith was unable to gather a Callum McCowatt corner in the 22nd minute, The ball fell to Surman near the back post. The Cantabrian’s header cannoned off the foot of an Indian defender and into the net to make it 1-0.
It proved to be a turning point for the All Whites, who quickly added another two goals before the break.
In the 41st minute, again following a corner, New Zealand worked the ball short near the edge of the area as Owen Parker-Price rolled a pass for James McGarry to hit from distance. The left-back coolly slotted a curving shot through a forest of legs and in off the left-hand post to double the All Whites’ lead and score his maiden international goal.
Shortly after, the home side extended their lead to 3-0 through captain Chris Wood. The Nottingham Forest striker finished with a simple tap-in to score his 47th goal for New Zealand after a low cross from Jesse Randall, who had combined well with Matt Garbett down the right side.
The first-half blitz was enough to see the All Whites through, unable to add to their 3-0 half-time advantage in the second half.
That was despite coming close to extending their lead on several occasions, including a Nathan Walker header being cleared off the line and a clever free-kick from Alex Rufer that was denied by a desperate diving save from Kaith.
The 3-0 victory wraps up the year for the All Whites in what was their 13th match of 2026, which included their participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
All Whites 3 (Finn Surman 22', James McGarry 41', Chris Wood 44')
India 0
