Australia will be looking for a clean sweep of the Soccer Ashes when they head across the ditch to take on the All Whites on Tuesday. New Zealand showed they can match it with Australia in game one, so we’re set for a thrilling game two in Auckland.
Socceroos vs New Zealand: Soccer Ashes Game 2 Preview & Betting Tips
Go Media Stadium, Tuesday 9th September, 5:00pm AEST
The Socceroos face New Zealand in Auckland tonight in the return leg of the Soccer Ashes. Whilst ostensibly a friendly, this fixture carries real weight as both sides fine tune ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Australia head into this second match riding a wave of optimism. Under Tony Popovic, the Socceroos remain unbeaten through nine games, buoyed by a 1-0 win in Canberra courtesy of debutant Max Balard’s late strike, scored just two minutes after he entered the fray. Popovic continues to lean heavily into youth, keeping the squad fresh with several European-based young guns like Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure, Nicolas Milanovic, Noah Botic, and Adrian Segecic all vying for their place in the 2026 plans.
The introduction of those young substitutes in Canberra sparked a game changing shift, with Irankunda and Toure forming a dynamic duo that set up Balard’s match winner. Popovic has stressed that despite World Cup qualification being secured, selection is no guarantee as a performance first approach prevails.
Australia have tightened up defensively and often relied on flashes of individual brilliance in the final third rather than sustained patterns though the attacking output remains a work in progress
The All Whites come into this fixture with high expectations, having secured one of Oceania’s new automatic slots for the expanded World Cup, their first qualification since 2010. Yet historical perspective looms large, New Zealand’s last win over Australia came back in 2002, and since then the record reads six defeats and one draw.
On Friday New Zealand showed plenty of signs that they can take it up to the Socceroos, winning the shot count 9-6 and recording 55% possession. Although it’s not a full strength Australian side, it was still a step in the right direction, however the All Whites need to be more enterprising with their ball movement on Tuesday.
New Zealand’s threat will hinge on Wood’s service and clinical finishing. If their midfield can better disrupt Australia’s tempo and contain Irankunda and Toure, they may expose the backline.
Match Prediction
Statistically, Australia’s dominance is clear - a 20-2-3 record since 1988, and six wins plus one draw since 2002. New Zealand showed they have the ability to control the tempo and take it up to the Aussies, they just need to be more daring to put the Australian defence under pressure.
On balance, Australia’s system holds up better than New Zealand's. Despite having a young side and not playing their best on Friday, they still got the job done. If the likes of Irankunda and Toure can again stretch the pitch and create mismatches, Australia should replicate the positive outcome from Canberra. While New Zealand will be buoyed by a hostile crowd in Auckland, Australia will continue their strong record over the All Whites.
Australia to Win
$2.40 (1 Unit)
