All Whites give Darren Bazeley winning send off against India

Detailed summary

The All Whites have ensured coach Darren Bazeley’s tenure ended with a victory following a 3-0 win against India in Christchurch today. The home side dominated most of the match…

The All Whites have ensured coach Darren Bazeley’s tenure ended with a victory following a 3-0 win against India in Christchurch today.

The home side dominated most of the match but India improved on their 5-0 defeat last week in Auckland, to keep New Zealand scoreless in the second half.

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 at One New Zealand Stadium. India goalkeeper Vishal Kaith was unable to gather a Callum McCowatt corner in the 22nd minute, with the ball falling 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.

Minutes later, 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 halftime 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.

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