Source: Radio New Zealand
All Whites v Colombia. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs PHOTOSPORT
All Whites v Colombia (International friendly)
Kick-off: 1pm Sunday 16 November
Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The All Whites are stateside for two big international friendly fixtures as they prepare for next year’s return trip to North America where they will make a long-awaited return to FIFA World Cup football. First up, the The Sunshine State and an opponent in Colombia who represent the step up in level Darren Bazeley’s side can expect at the pinnacle of men’s international football.
All Whites preview
All Whites striker Kosta Barbarouses. PHOTOSPORT
Of course, the big team news for New Zealand is the absence of marquee frontman, Chris Wood. While he may not be in the same form as last term, amid a difficult start to the campaign on and off the pitch for his Nottingham Forest side, he remains the nation’s talisman and will be sorely missed.
In his absence, scoring will be an issue, with just four goals in 33 collective appearances this season for striking alternatives Kosta Barbarouses, Ben Waine and Andre de Jong. But the backline showed robustness in recent meetings with Poland and Norway, and while Tim Payne is absent, Tyler Bindon could offer a solid, if not as expansive option, in his stead.
Predicted XI: Crocombe (gk); Bindon, Surman, Boxall, Cacace; Thomas, Stamenic, Old, Singh, Garbett; Barbarouses.
New Zealand squad
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Kees Sims.
Defenders: Michael Boxall, Bill Tuiloma, Liberato Cacace, Tyler Bindon, Storm Roux, Francis de Vries, Finn Surman, George Stanger.
Midfielders: Elijah Just, Matthew Garbett, Marko Stamenić, Callum McCowatt, Joe Bell, Sarpreet Singh, Ryan Thomas, Alex Rufer, Ben Old.
Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Ben Waine, Andre de Jong.
Meet the opponents
James Rodriguez of Leon reacts during the 17th round match between Leon and Puebla as part of the Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX at Leon Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Leon, Mexico. Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images
New Zealand have not faced a side ranked as high by FIFA as 13th-place Colombia since a 2017 meeting with then-8th-ranked Portugal.
That game ended 4-0 and the All Whites will be desperate to avoid another chastening experience. Colombia may have missed out on qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup but they responded by going 26 games undefeated under new head coach Nestor Lorenzo.
After beating the likes of Germany, Brazil and Spain during that streak they eventually succumbed to Lionel Messi’s world champions Argentina in the final of last year’s Copa America.
A recent 4-0 win over Mexico is worrying, given El Tri outplayed the All Whites 3-0 last September. With in-form Bayern Munich attacker Luis Diaz, 2014 FIFA World Cup top-scorer James Rodriguez and FA Cup-winning right-back Daniel Munoz at their disposal, Los Cafeteros represent a stern challenge for Bazeley’s boys.
Goalkeepers: David Ospina, Camilo Vargas, Álvaro Montero.
Defenders: Davinson Sánchez, Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Daniel Muñoz, Johan Mojica, Jhon Lucumí, Carlos Cuesta, Álvaro Angulo.
Midfielders: James Rodríguez, Jefferson Lerma, Jhon Arias, Richard Ríos, Kevin Castaño, Jorge Carrascal, Yáser Asprilla, Juan Portilla, Gustavo Puerta.
Forwards: Luis Díaz, Rafael Santos Borré, Jhon Córdoba, Luis Suárez, Andrés Gómez, Johan Carbonero.
Previous meetings
20 June 2003 Colombia 3-1 New Zealand
These two nations have met only once before, in the Group Stage of the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup.
The underdogs took a shock lead that day, Raf de Gregorio scoring the goal, before succumbing 3-1 to the eventual semi-finalists.
Prediction
Based on world rankings, this is the All Whites’ biggest test in eight years. If they can avoid defeat against this Colombia outfit it should be treated as a very positive result.
Getting a win without their most potent goal threat seems unlikely and, in all likelihood, the South American side will have too much firepower for the All Whites. But facing opposition of this calibre is exactly what New Zealand Football has wanted for the All Whites in recent years.
It seems their return to international football’s biggest stage has put them back on the radar. But Ecuador in New Jersey on Wednesday represents a far better opportunity for an eye-catching result.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
