The All Whites’ struggles in front of goal continued with a 1-0 loss to Poland, their first European opponent since drawing with Ireland last year.
Coach Darren Bazeley said his side must be more clinical and convert possession into goals, noting that missed opportunities around the box are holding them back. Since qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, New Zealand have faced five higher-ranked teams, winning only once against Côte d’Ivoire.
With a tough fixture ahead against Norway, Bazeley plans to push for more forward play while managing the workload of captain Chris Wood. The All Whites will also face Colombia and Ecuador next month, as Bazeley insists his team is “undervalued” and capable of more.
