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Sport Nation
'Dominant' All Whites need to turn pressure into goals in Soccer Ashes rematch
Sport Nation • September 9th, 2025 10:26 am
Chris Wood | Photo: Photosport
The All Whites will be out to build on their encouraging first-up outing against Australia in the second match of the Soccer Ashes series in Auckland on Tuesday night.
Despite the 1-0 defeat, New Zealand impressed in the opening match in Canberra, where - according to former All White and commentator Fred de Jong - they were the "dominant" side on the night against the hosts at GIO Stadium.
The challenge for Chris Wood's side, as has been the case for some time, is to turn that pressure and statistical dominance into goals.
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"They played well in the first game. They were the dominant team in the game," said de Jong, who'll provide colour commentary alongside Daniel McHardy for Sport Nation's live, free-to-air coverage of the match in Mt Smart on Tuesday night.
"They had they edged all the statistics, possession, more shots, more corners , all that stuff. They were the better team.
"But as has been the problem with this team, they can't convert that ascendancy into goals and they have to learn how to do that."
While a goal against the Aussies remains elusive, de Jong doesn't foresee much personnel change in Darren Bazeley's side for the Mt Smart return leg.
Nottingham Forest goal-scoring machine Wood is clearly the main target upfront, but the All Whites need to find an alternative threats to ease the defence loading up on him, de Jong adds.
"Chris Wood is obviously your main target, but I think when you get up and you play at the World Cup, teams are going to mark Chris Wood, obviously. So you've got to find another way to score.
"I think that's what these games give them an opportunity to try and do, find another way to score."
Tune into Sport Nation from 6pm, Tuesday for live, free-to-air coverage of New Zealand vs Australia. Find your local frequency here or download the Sport Nation app.
Listen to the full interview below:
