India’s first football match in New Zealand ends with a 0-5 humiliation

India’s first ever football match in New Zealand ended in disappointment as the Blue Tigers suffered a crushing 0-5 defeat to the All Whites in their opening international friendly of the November FIFA window on Thursday.

Jesse Randall struck twice while Chris Wood and Lachlan Bayliss also got on the scoresheet after an early Bijoy Varghese own goal put New Zealand ahead. The two sides meet again on Sunday in Christchurch, giving India an immediate opportunity to respond.

Despite the heavy defeat, goalkeeper Vishal Kaith was among India’s best performers. The 30-year-old, who returned to the national team for the first time since June, produced a number of impressive saves, including a second-half penalty stop, to prevent the hosts from doing further damage.

DOMINATE NEW ZEALAND

Anirudh Thapa led India as captain for the first time since 2018. However, the visitors found themselves under pressure almost immediately as New Zealand struggled to get into the game.

The home side took the lead in the fifth minute after a scramble in the Indian penalty area when Varghese inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Kaith was soon called into action again and made a sharp save to deny Matthew Garbett’s long-range effort.

India gradually found some rhythm up front with Ryan Williams combining well with Liston Colac and Jithin MS. Their best opportunity of the opening half came in the 19th minute when a neat interchange between Varghes and Williams sent the latter down the right wing.

Williams set up a cut-back for Manvir Singh who was well placed in the box. However, Callan Elliott made a timely block to deny the Indian striker a clear cut opportunity.

New Zealand continued to control proceedings with Kaith keeping India in the contest with a number of important interventions. In the 25th minute, he produced an acrobatic save to keep out a header before coming off his line to thwart Randall.

The Indian keeper was called upon again moments later when Randall broke into the box. Kaith blocked his initial attempt and quickly recovered to parry the flick and show off his reflexes under pressure.

However, India’s resistance eventually subsided. Randall found the net in the 34th minute to complete his riot just before half-time to give New Zealand a big three-goal advantage.

ALL THE WHITES ARE DRIVING

Head coach Khalid Jamil made five changes at the break bringing in Jay Gupta, Lalrinlian Hnamte, Mehtab Singh, Ricky Meetei Haobam and Muhammad Suhail. The latter two made their international debut.

Colaco offered a glimpse of India’s attacking threat early in the second half when he tested goalkeeper Alex Paulsen with a free-kick. But New Zealand remained firmly in control and continued to threaten the Indian defence.

Wood made it 4-0 in the 57th minute, rising above the Indian defense to head home. Bayliss then added a fifth in the 74th minute with a well-hit volley, leaving no doubt about the result.

India’s defensive struggles continued but substitute Mehtab Singh made some important blocks to limit further damage. Kaith was also kept busy as the All Whites looked for more goals.

KAITH PENALTY

Kaith’s best moment of the second half came in the 78th minute when Bill Tuiloma slotted home a penalty. The Indian keeper dived at full throttle to save the spot-kick and showed great reactions to get back and save the rebound as well.

Jamil handed further international debuts to striker David Lalhlansang and midfielder Tomba Singh Haobam late in the match. In the 88th minute, Tomba tried to make a long-range impression, but Paulsen comfortably conceded.

As a result, India have a lot to deal with ahead of Sunday’s return match in Christchurch. While Kaith’s performance offered some encouragement, the Blue Tigers will need a much stronger defensive display and more attacking conviction to contend in the second encounter.

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