Chris Wood of New Zealand celebrates his goal with Ben Old of New Zealand. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Whites scored a 4-0 victory over Malaysia in their friendly at North Harbour Stadium.
The young New Zealand side was in control for almost the entire game, which was their first match on home soil in 2024.
Head coach Darren Bazeley made four changes from the team that beat Tahiti 3-0 in Vanuatu on Friday during their first 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Alex Paulsen earned his first home start for the All Whites, replacing Max Crocombe in goal, while Michael Boxall, Storm Roux, and Ben Waine came in for Nando Pijnaker, Tim Payne, and Chris Wood, respectively. In Wood's absence, Liberato Cacace captained the side for the first time at home.
The All Whites dominated from the outset, creating numerous chances in the first half, but couldn't find the breakthrough.
However the pressure paid off in the second half.
In the 53rd minute Cacace provided a cross for Eli Just, who slid in to finish, netting his second goal in as many games.
Just eight minutes later, it was 2-0. Again, Cacace delivered the assist, cutting back from the left side to find Matt Garbett on the edge of the box, who precisely slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.
Within ten minutes of coming onto the field as a replacement Chris Wood got on the scoresheet heading home a cross, his 36th goal for the All Whites.
Substitute Logan Rogerson capped off the scoring in injury time with arguably the best finish of the night, firing a rocket from the edge of the box into the top corner, giving Auckland FC fans a preview of what to expect next weekend.
This match marked a hugely successful return to Aotearoa for the team, ahead of their important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Vanuatu and Samoa next month in Hamilton and Auckland.
