New Zealand beat India 5-0 in an international friendly in Auckland. It was the first men's football meeting between the teams since 2018.
Randall leads New Zealand scoring
Jesse Randall scored a hat-trick for New Zealand, doubling his career goal tally in his 19th appearance for the national team. The match also helped Randall record his first brace in national team colours.
Randall added two goals within a 10-minute stretch before half-time.
New Zealand control the match
New Zealand edged ahead in the fifth minute. The opening goal came after Pramveer Ranbir's attempt to clear a cutback from Randall into the box ricocheted into teammate Bijoy Varghese and past goalkeeper Vishal Kaith. Kaith had recorded the first of his eight saves for the match before the ricocheted clearance resulted in the goal.
New Zealand scored multiple goals in each half and had seven first-half shots on target. They had 61% possession in the first half. Chris Wood and Lachlan Bayliss, the 24-year-old Auckland FC midfielder, scored after half-time.
New Zealand are 50 spots superior to India in FIFA's world rankings.
Second meeting set for Christchurch
The teams will meet again on Sunday afternoon under the glass roof of One NZ Stadium in Christchurch. The match will take place at the same time that the New Zealand and Indian men's cricket teams play the 5th ODI in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga.
The Sunday match in Christchurch will be head coach Darren Bazeley's farewell after four years and more than 40 matches in the role. His contract as New Zealand head coach has not been extended beyond the end of 2026 after the All Whites officially finished last, 48th, at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
India balancing two commitments
India's squad for the Auckland match is not at full strength. India is also attempting to defend its SAFF Championship title with a youthful squad in Bangladesh, while the national team juggles the match against New Zealand and the SAFF Championship campaign in Bangladesh.
