New Zealand 3-0 India Player Ratings: Chris Wood, James McGarry Shine as Blue Tigers Fall to Second Defeat

New Zealand delivered a clinical first-half display to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over India in their international friendly at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday. Following a 5-0 defeat three days earlier in Auckland, Khalid Jamil’s side arrived hoping for a stronger defensive response, opting for a five-man backline out of possession.

The Blue Tigers absorbed early pressure well, with Vishal Kaith called into action to deny Chris Wood and handle early set-pieces. However, the resistance broke in the 22nd minute when Callum McCowatt swung in a corner from the left, catching Kaith out of position, and an unmarked Finn Surman headed the ball home via a deflection off Akash Mishra.

The New Zealand national football team maintained full control of the tempo, flooding the Indian box with crosses from Francis de Vries and Jesse Randall. The All Whites doubled their lead in the 40th minute when a short corner fell to James McGarry at the edge of the area, and the defender fired a crisp, first-time left-footed strike into the bottom corner past a diving Kaith.

Four minutes later, Matthew Garbett threaded a pass into the right side of the box for Randall, who squared the ball across goal for captain Chris Wood to tap into an empty net.

The Indian national football team introduced wholesale second-half changes, including Hrithik Tiwari, Liston Colaco, Suhail Bhat, and David Lalhlansanga, injecting fresh energy.

Tiwari made a sharp save to deny McCowatt, while Mehtab Singh stood firm in duels against Randall and registered India’s lone shot on target in the 66th minute. Substitute Corban Piper later headed an Alex Rufer free kick wide as New Zealand cruised to a second straight win.

Check out the New Zealand vs India player ratings below.

New Zealand National Football Team Player Ratings vs India

See the New Zealand national football team player ratings from the New Zealand vs India Player Ratings.

India National Football Team Player Ratings vs New Zealand

Here are the India national football team player ratings from the New Zealand vs India Ratings.

Man of the Match

Jesse Randall was adjudged Sportsdunia's man of the match from this international friendly.

Worst Performer

Vishal Kaith was the worst performer in New Zealand vs India.