India Lose 0-3 to New Zealand in Second International Friendly
Christchurch, November 15, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran): The Indian men’s national football team suffered a 0-3 defeat against New Zealand in their second international friendly of the November window at One New Zealand Stadium on Sunday.
India resisted sustained early pressure from the hosts before Finn Surman opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. James McGarry doubled New Zealand’s lead in the 40th minute, while Chris Wood scored the third goal just three minutes later to secure a comfortable victory for the hosts.
New Zealand Dominate First Half
New Zealand controlled possession from the opening whistle and kept India under pressure in their own half.
India captain Ryan Williams led the team for the first time. Head coach Khalid Jamil made five changes to the starting XI from the first friendly, bringing in Ashique Kuruniyan, Jay Gupta, Mehtab Singh, Mohammed Sanan and Roshan Singh Naorem.
India adopted a compact formation with a five-man defence. Roshan Singh Naorem and Abhishek Singh Tekcham operated as the left and right full-backs, respectively.
New Zealand created an early opportunity in the ninth minute when a cross from the left found captain Chris Wood inside the box, but goalkeeper Vishal Kaith collected the effort comfortably.
The hosts continued to attack, with India’s defence managing to block several attempts. However, New Zealand took the lead in the 22nd minute. Callum McCowatt delivered a corner from the left, which Finn Surman headed into the net.
Kaith was called into action again, punching away an effort from Francis De Vries before making another save to push a dangerous Jesse Randall cross over the bar.
India attempted to respond through Manvir Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan and Ryan Williams but struggled to create clear scoring opportunities.
Two More Goals Before Half-Time
New Zealand extended their lead in the 40th minute when James McGarry timed his run to meet Owen Parker-Price’s pass and slotted the ball into the net.
The hosts scored again three minutes later. Matthew Garbett and Jesse Randall combined to deliver a cross to Wood inside the box. His effort, which came off his shin, found the back of the net.
Kaith produced another important save in the 44th minute, punching away Wood’s header from a McCowatt free-kick.
India went into the half-time break trailing 0-3.
Jamil Makes Changes After the Break
India made three substitutions at half-time, with Bijoy Varghese, Pramveer and debutant goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari coming on.
Tiwari was quickly tested and made a confident start. In the 55th minute, he went down well to stop McCowatt’s effort from the middle before collecting De Vries’ follow-up attempt inside the box.
Just before the hour mark, India introduced more fresh players. Lalrinliana Hnamte, Muhammad Suhail, Liston Colaco and Tomba Singh Haobam came on.
India created an opportunity in the 81st minute when Tomba and Hnamte combined to set up Liston. However, his long-range attempt went over the crossbar.
Mehtab Singh later took over the captain’s armband after Williams was substituted, with Lalremtluanga Fanai coming on.
Bijoy Varghese Prevents New Zealand’s Fourth Goal
New Zealand came close to scoring a fourth goal in the 86th minute.
Lachlan Bayliss moved into the penalty area, drew goalkeeper Tiwari off his line and cut the ball back. Alex Rufer received the ball on the right and headed towards goal, but Bijoy Varghese made an alert goal-line clearance to prevent another goal.
New Zealand maintained their 3-0 advantage until the final whistle, handing India a defeat in their second international friendly of the November window.