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New Zealand host Malaysia at the North Harbour Stadium in Auckland on Sunday for an international friendly. Ranked 95th in the world, the All Whites are coming off the back of a convincing 3-0 win over Tahiti in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier earlier this week.
Elijah Just, Chris Wood and Benjamin Waine all struck apiece to give them an encouraging start to their campaign.
Having failed to win either of their games a month earlier, the Oceania outfit returned to winning ways in spectacular fashion.
Before resuming their qualifying campaign next month, Darren Bazeley's side play a friendly, where substitutes are likely to get a chance.
The veteran Wood might be relegated to the bench here, although Waine should come into the starting XI for his heroics off the bench on Friday. Perth Glory custodian Oliver Sail could start in goal ahead of Max Crocombe.
Meanwhile, the Malay Tigers were involved in an unofficial friendly against Auckland FC this month, which they drew 1-1. Francis de Vries put the New Zealand club in front after only 25 minutes, but Nooa Laine equalized for the visitors just before the hour mark.
With that, the Southeast Asian side extended their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions (including official and unofficial friendlies), although their three-game winning run came to an end.
New Zealand vs Malaysia Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- There have been 13 clashes between the sides in the past, with New Zealand winning nine times in the fixture and losing only twice.
- The All Whites last suffered a loss here way back in July 1999, when they suffered a 2-1 friendly defeat. Since then, they've gone six games without a loss in the fixture.
- This marks the first meeting between the sides since February 2006, when the Oceania outfit won 2-1, again in a friendly.
- The Malay Tigers are unbeaten in five games, although their latest outing was an unofficial friendly against club side Auckland FC.
- New Zealand are ranked 95th in the world. Their rivals are 37 places below them.
New Zealand vs Malaysia Prediction
The sides are clashing for the first time in almost two decades, and both have overseen a fairly good year so far. Given that it's just a friendly, we're going with a draw, but an entertaining one.
Prediction: New Zealand 2-2 Malaysia
New Zealand vs Malaysia Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
