Head coach Darren Bazeley says he’ll reshuffle the New Zealand team for Monday’s friendly international against Malaysia.
“I’m expecting there’ll be changes, but not wholesale,” Bazeley told a media briefing after the All Whites squad’s arrival in Auckland.
New Zealand beat Tahiti 3-0 in Friday’s opening game in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Oceania qualifier series.
READ MORE: All Whites stroll to win against Tahiti to get FIFA World Cup campaign underway >>>>
WATCH: Highlights from All Whites win against Tahiti in World Cup qualifier >>>>
Bazeley said the staff were going through their usual process of checking how the players had come through the game in the heat of Vanuatu, and the travel involved.
Bazeley used 16 players in the World Cup qualifier and any changes are likely to provide opportunities for players signed to new A-League club Auckland FC.
Three Auckland FC players — goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, defender Tommy Smith and midfielder Cam Howieson — were unused subs against Tahiti, while striker Logan Rogerson came off the bench in the 76th minute.
Auckland FC’s training base is at Albany’s North Harbour Stadium where Monday’s match will be staged.
“The pitch is magnificent,” Bazeley said.
“We went and had a look at it yesterday. It’s a carpet. It’ll be great for the players too.
“I think they’ll be really pleased to go and see a nice bit of grass today, a training, which will be good.
“There’ll be no complaints about the pitch tomorrow. It’ll be perfect to play football on, on a perfect Auckland evening.”
Bazeley said playing a team ranked lower than New Zealand would bring different challenges.
Malaysia are rated #132 in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings, while the All Whites are #94.
READ MORE: All Whites stay in top 100 after latest revision of FIFA world rankings >>>>
“We’re the favourites. It’s an opportunity for us to play … be that team, rather than the team that’s the under-ranked team,” Bazeley said.
“They’ve come across with a big squad.
“I’ve listened to what the coach has been saying, (and) we need to put on a performance at home on a good pitch.”
Malaysia drew 1-1 with Auckland FC in a behind-closed-doors game at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart on Friday, and head coach Paul Marti said it replicated the “very physical, very fast pace and very high intensity” type of game he expects from the All Whites.
READ MORE: Malaysian coach happy with behind-closed-doors draw against Auckland FC >>>>
Monday’s New Zealand squad will include nine players signed with A-League rivals Auckland FC and the Wellington Phoenix.
“We’ve waited a long time to have two teams in the A-League and a team back up in Auckland,” Bazeley said.
“Wellington have done a great job sort of waving the flag for New Zealand in the league, and now they’ve got competition.
“I think that’s brilliant for us … you see the amount of players that have come through Wellington over the years and played for our under 17.”
New Zealand
Name/caps/goals/club
Goalkeepers
Max Crocombe (12/0) Burton Albion, England
Alex Paulsen (1/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
Oli Sail (9/0) Perth Glory, Australia
Defenders
Tyler Bindon (11/0) Reading FC, England
Michael Boxall (51/0) Minnesota United, USA
Libby Cacace (28/1) Empoli FC, Italy
Tim Payne (40/2) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nando Pijnaker (22/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Storm Roux (12/0) Central Coast Mariners, Australia
Tommy Smith (56/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Sam Sutton (4/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Midfielders
Matt Garbett (25/3) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Cam Howieson (20/1) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Alex Rufer (16/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Marko Stamenić (24/1) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Forwards
Kosta Barbarouses (63/7) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Eli Just (29/3) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from AC Horsens)
Ben Old (11/1) AS Saint Etienne, France
Logan Rogerson (13/1) Auckland FC, New Zealand
Ben Waine (19/7) Plymouth Argyle, England
Chris Wood (77/35) Nottingham Forest, England
Fixture
Game to be played on Monday October 14, 2024
North Harbour Stadium, Albany, 7pm
This story was first published on October 13, 2024.
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