The second leg of the “Soccer Ashes” friendly is underway in Auckland, with Australia looking to defend a 1-0 aggregate lead against trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand at Go Media Stadium.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has fielded a notably young side, with the starting XI’s average age just under 26. In a significant move, 21-year-old Alessandro Circati has been handed the captain’s armband for his seventh international appearance. The lineup also features starts for attacking duo Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure, as well as Max Balard, who scored the dramatic late winner in the first leg.
New Zealand has named a strong team as they seek to overturn the deficit on home soil. The All Whites are captained by Premier League striker Chris Wood and will be looking to reclaim the Soccer Ashes trophy for the first time since 1923.
The first match in Canberra was a tight affair, decided in the 87th minute when Balard scored just two minutes into his international debut. The winner of the two-leg series is determined by the aggregate score, with a penalty shootout to follow if the teams are level at the end of tonight’s match. Both nations, having already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, are using the series to prepare and test emerging players.
The match has kicked off with a cautious and somewhat disjointed start from both sides, as they vie for control in the opening minutes.
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