All Whites draw with Palestine as new side takes field

The All Whites returned to international football for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2026, drawing 2-2 with Palestine in the first of four matches in this September/October FIFA window.

Three players made their debut in the team which had just one World Cup player in the lineup while they held the lead in the game twice.

LATEST HEADLINES:

Big names at Queens in Tauihi Basketball

Warriors sign Bailey Biondi-Odo for 2027

Woodcock honoured by Cric Wellington

Fox teams with Scott Presidents Cup

Players back for Black Ferns v England

George Stanger, who has previously been part of New Zealand squads but had never taken to the field, was named to make his debut, while Michael Woud, fresh from a title-winning season with Auckland FC, started in goal for the All Whites for the first time since November 2023.

Stanger was one of three players to make their debuts on the night, with Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Henry Gray coming on for Woud at half-time, while 19-year-old Stipe Ukich, called up for the first time, replaced Logan Rogerson in the 66th minute to earn his first cap.

The game started well for 86th ranked New Zealand, with Ben Waine opening the scoring after just five minutes.

A ball over the top from debutant Stanger found the onrushing Waine, who slotted home past the Palestinian goalkeeper at the near post.

In the 27th minute, Palestine who have a FIFA ranking of 95 levelled from a Palestine corner which found Assad Al Hamlawi, who headed home to make it 1-1.

But eight minutes later the All Whites were in front again as New Zealand won the ball high up the pitch, allowing Lachie Bayliss to cross into the box, where Jesse Randall was first to the ball after a scramble to give his team the lead.

However, Palestine levelled the match at 2-2 in the 39th minute after winning the ball in transition, crossing and finding Oday Dabbagh for the finish.

The second half saw the All Whites make a raft of changes to give all players opportunities including Dane Ingham came on for his first New Zealand appearance since 2023.

However the game remained level at 2-2 with limited opportunities for scoring for either side.

The All Whites will next be in action against China PR, one of three games over the next two weeks.

All Whites vs China PR

28 September [KO 12:35am NZT] - Longxing Football Stadium, Chongqing, China

All Whites vs Panama

1 October [KO 7:10pm NZT] - Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo, Japan

All Whites vs Ecuador/Japan

Click here to read article