CommBank Socceroos defeat New Zealand 1-0 in first leg of Soccer Ashes
The CommBank Socceroos have defeated New Zealand 1-0 in the first leg of the 2025 Soccer Ashes in front of nearly 20,000 fans at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
Max Balard scored the only goal of the game only moments after coming onto the pitch for his debut in the 87th minute.
Head Coach Tony Popovic selected a new-look starting eleven with Conor Metcalfe, Patrick Yazbek, Milos Degenek and Martin Boyle the only survivors from the starting side that secured qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ against Saudi Arabia in June.
Paul Izzo became CommBank Socceroo #650 when the 30-year-old was named as starting goalkeeper. Exciting youngsters Nicolas Milanovic and Max Balard also debuted in this game when they were substituted on in the second half.
Australia started brightly, almost taking the lead within minutes. Conor Metcalfe was able to release Jordy Bos down the left-hand side, whose ball into the box was clattered into the post off a Kiwi defender.
New Zealand showed that they were up for the fight, however, and nearly took the lead themselves. Danger man Chris Wood was released in space in behind Australia’s defence. Paul Izzo stood tall on debut, however, and denied the Nottingham Forest striker with a sharp one-on-one save.
Jordy Bos continued to be a spark for the CommBank Socceroos. Midway through the half, his direct run left several New Zealand defenders in his wake. He got the shot away but was unable to direct it on target.
The combination of Metcalfe and Bos led to another chance late in the half but it was the All Whites who went into the break looking the more likely team to score, dominating possession and only being denied by another save from Izzo just before the break.
Half-time saw two changes from Popovic as he looked to shift the momentum. Lewis Miller replaced Samuel Silvera at right wing-back, while Aiden O’Neill replaced Patrick Yazbek in midfield.
Martin Boyle had a sight on goal around the 60-minute mark, but he wasn’t quite able to take the final ball in his stride.
The 73rd minute saw a triple substitution for Australia. Exciting youngsters Nestory Irankunda, Mo Toure and Nicolas Milanovic entered the pitch in place of Ajdin Hrustic, Martin Boyle and Conor Metcalfe.
Milanovic became CommBank Socceroo #651 as the 23-year-old Aberdeen FC man made his debut.
The injection of fresh legs added some life to Australia’s attack. Irankunda won a free kick just outside the penalty area after good work from Bos once more, but his chip into the middle was able to be cleared away.
Minutes later, Toure played through Lewis Miller, whose cross from the byline found a waiting Irankunda. Unfortunately, Irankunda could not control the header – which went over the crossbar - but it was Australia’s best chance of the game to that point.
The 85th minute saw the third debut in green and gold for the match, with Max Balard replacing Ryan Teague to become CommBank Socceroo #652.
He would make an instant impact. Two minutes after Balard entered play, Mo Toure picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, creating space for himself after a set piece. His ball into the box found Balard, whose low finish into the bottom corner proved to be the winner.
The All Whites were not without chances of their own in the second half, but Izzo stood tall, and consigned the Kiwis to wait yet another game for their first goal against Australia since 2010.
Australia are now undefeated in nine games and look ahead towards the second leg of the Soccer Ashes in New Zealand next week.
Match Summary
Australia: 1 (Balard 87’)
New Zealand: 0
Australia: 12. Paul Izzo (GK), 2. Milos Degenek, 5. Jordy Bos, 6. Martin Boyle (Mohamed Toure 74’), 8. Conor Metcalfe (14. Nestory Irankunda 74’), 10. Ajdin Hrustic (7. Nicolas Milanovic 74’), 17. Ryan Teague (16. Max Balard 85’), 19. Patrick Yazbek (13. Aiden O’Neill 45’), 20. Samuel Silvera (3. Lewis Miller 45’), 21. Cameron Burgess, 23. Alessandro Circati
Unused Substitutes: 1. Tom Glover (GK), 4. Kye Rowles, 11. Adrian Segecic, 18. Joe Gauci (GK), 22. Jack Iredale, 25. Hayden Matthews
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
New Zealand: 1. Max Crocombe, 2. Tim Payne (21. Callan Elliot 64’), 3. Francis De Vries (15. James McGarry 70’), 4. Tyler Bindon, 5. Michael Boxall, 6. Joe Bell, 9. Chris Wood (17. Kosta Barbarouses 64’), 10. Sarpreet Singh (14. Finn Surman 75’), 11. Elijah Just (19. Ben Old 70’), 20. Callum McCowatt, 23. Ryan Thomas (16. Alex Rufer 64’)
Unused Substitutes: 7. Jesse Randall, 12. Henry Merson Leonard Gray, 18. Logan Rogerson, 22. Oli Sail, 24. Luke Brooke-Smith
Yellow Cards: 3. Francis De Vries 32’
Red Cards: Nil