‘Let’s turn these games into annual fixtures’ — skipper Chris Wood

All Whites captain Chris Wood hopes the Soccer Ashes match with Australia will open the way for annual fixtures between the two countries.

As his side prepared for their London match on Wednesday morning (NZT), Wood said he was “a big advocate” for playing Australia every year.

“Having that challenge and that rivalry … bringing that back is going to be huge for both our nations going forward,” he said through NZ Football’s social media channels.

As for playing for the historic Soccer Ashes Trophy, Wood said: “It’s big. There’s not many games where we get to play for something that actually really means stuff.

“It’s only right that we start it off with something like this, and with something to play for. ”

New Zealand and Australia met twice in 2022, brought together as international games resumed after COVID disruption, and with both nations wanting to acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the first international match.

Previously, the sides had not met for more than a decade.

Meanwhile, Australian coach Graham Arnold will use the match to help determine his squad for the start of his side’s 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifying campaign next month.

READ MORE: Socceroos boss Graham Arnold: ‘We’ll be in their faces for 90 minutes >>>>

The Socceroos will face either the Maldives or Bangladesh on November 16 in Melbourne, and the game against the All Whites gives him the chance to check out some younger players, in particular.

“I’m getting headaches now in selecting the team, where probably for three or four years I didn’t have that,” he said.

If the match is drawn after 90 minutes, there will be no extra time and a penalty shootout will decide which team wins the Soccer Ashes Trophy.

READ MORE: Penalties could be used to decide match between All Whites and Socceroos >>>>

About the Soccer Ashes

The trophy was created in 1923, containing ashes of cigars smoked by Australian captain Alex Gibb and New Zealand captain George Campbell following the first meeting between the two nations in Australia in June 1923.

The trophy went missing in 1954 but was rediscovered during the COVID pandemic and returned to Football Australia.

READ MORE: Long-lost ANZAC Soccer Ashes trophy found in family garage clean-out >>>> 

How they rank

Going into the game, New Zealand rate 104th in the FIFA men’s world rankings.

Australia rank 27th.

Past meetings

Of the 64 encounters between the trans-Tasman rivals, Australia have won 40 games and New Zealand have won 13. Eleven games have been drawn.

How to watch

The match will be live-streamed free by FIFA+ with coverage starting at 7.35am (NZT).

Squads

Fixture

Game to be played on Wednesday October 18, 2023 (NZT)

New Zealand v Australia
Gtech Community Stadium, London, 7.45am (NZT)

READ MORE: Tickets go on public sale for All Whites match against Socceroos in London >>>>

READ MORE: Brentford’s stadium to host October’s historic Soccer Ashes match >>>>

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