New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley says his squad must carry their improved moments from the Colombia match into Wednesday’s game against Ecuador.
Speaking at the team’s pre-match media session in New Jersey, Bazeley said the 2–1 loss to Colombia had revealed encouraging signs in demanding conditions.
“There was a lot of positives to take away,” he said. “We lived with a very good Colombia team for long periods of the game and got very close to achieving a really good result.”
Bazeley said the match offered a realistic preview of the level New Zealand will face at next year’s FIFA World Cup.
“It was very similar to what could be at a World Cup,” he said. “It was a really good performance in difficult circumstances, a big crowd, good team. There’s a lot of good to take away, but still things to keep improving.”
Main photo: All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley (left) and midfielder Sarpreet Singh.
Midfielder Sarpreet Singh told the briefing he believed the team responded well after conceding early.
“It could have been quite easy to go under and lose 3-0 or 4–0 after that,” he said. “But I think we showed great character. We’re really building something strong now.”
Singh said the squad executed their roles well after detailed preparation. “The coaching staff prepared us very well for the game. We knew exactly what our roles were and what strengths Colombia would bring.”
Bazeley confirmed he expects to rotate the squad against Ecuador after travelling from Miami soon after the final whistle in Fort Lauderdale.
“Everybody’s fit and available,” he said. “It’s a tight turnaround … but nothing too serious will rule anyone out. We’ll make a few changes to freshen it up and give ourselves some extra energy and legs.”
The All Whites train in New Jersey for the match against Ecuador.
He acknowledged frustration at conceding in the third minute and again in added time.
“The second goal is a disappointing goal. The guys on the pitch came off and they felt that as well,” he said. “We’d rather be making those mistakes now than next year on the big stage.”
Ecuador, he said, present another high-level test for his developing squad.
“They’re a very good team,” he said. “They’re on a really good unbeaten run. They don’t concede lots of goals. Another tough challenge, but it’s exciting. These are the type of games we want to be playing.”
Bazeley said his side must continue to create chances, having produced opportunities in each of the recent windows.
“We’re getting the ball into good areas,” he said. “We score lots of goals in training. There’s a mentality to be a bit more ruthless in the final third. At some stage, we’re going to get three or four in a game because it’ll all come together.”
Singh said his own form is improving after an extended run with the national team.
“I’m enjoying the journey now … physically and mentally,” he said. “I still know that I can give a lot more and do a lot better.”
He said his preferred position remains central. “I prefer to play in the number 10 role, but in football, you have to adapt. Wherever the coach wants to play me, I’ll play.”
Bazeley said the All Whites will continue to monitor play-off matches around the world while they await next month’s World Cup draw.
“We’re in a really good position where we’ve qualified,” he said. “Now we’re waiting to see who we get drawn against.”
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Squads
Ecuador
Goalkeepers
Hernan Galindez (Aucas, Ecuador)
Moises Ramirez (Independiente del Valle, Ecuador)
Cristhian Loor (Emelec, Ecuador)
Defenders
Angelo Preciado (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic)
Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
Felix Torres (Santos Laguna, Mexico)
Willian Pacho (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany)
Cristian Ramirez (Ferencváros, Hungary)
Joel Ordonez (Club Brugge, Belgium)
Jhoanner Chavez (Lens, France)
Leonardo Realpe (Red Bull Bragantino, Brazil)
Midfielders
Moises Caicedo (Chelsea, England)
Alan Franco (Talleres, Argentina)
Gonzalo Plata (Al Sadd, Qatar)
Kendry Paez (Chelsea, England)
Alan Minda (Cercle Brugge, Belgium)
John Yeboah (Raków Częstochowa, Poland)
Pedro Vite (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada)
Jordy Alcivar (Independiente del Valle, Ecuador)
Yaimar Medina (LDU Quito, Ecuador)
Denil Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine)
Patrik Mercado (Barcelona SC, Ecuador)
Forwards
Kevin Rodriguez (Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium)
Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami, USA)
Nilson Angulo (Anderlecht, Belgium)
John Mercado (Vilafranquense, Portugal)
Jeremy Arevalo (Emelec, Ecuador)
Withdrawal
Enner Valencia (Pachua, Mexico)
New Zealand
Goalkeepers
Max Crocombe (20/0) Millwall, England
Kees Sims (debut) GAIS, Sweden
*Nik Tzanev (2/0) Newport County, Wales
Defenders
Tyler Bindon (20/2) Sheffield United, England (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Michael Boxall (61/1) Minnesota United, United States
Francis de Vries (16/1) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
*James McGarry (4/0) Brisbane Roar, Australia
Storm Roux (17/0) Central Coast Mariners, Australia
*Tommy Smith (56/2) Braintree Town, England
George Stanger (0/0) Kilmarnock, Scotland
Finn Surman (14/2) Portland Timbers, United States
Bill Tuiloma (46/4) Charlotte FC, United States
Midfielders
Joe Bell (29/1) Viking FK, Norway
Matt Garbett (35/5) Peterborough United, England
Ben Old (19/2) AS Saint-Étienne, France
*Owen Parker-Price (2/0) Örgryte, Sweden
Alex Rufer (22/0) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Sarpreet Singh (25/3) FK TSC Bačka Topola, Serbia
Marko Stamenić (34/3) Swansea City, Wales
Forwards
Kosta Barbarouses (71/9) Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia
Andre de Jong (11/2) Stellenbosch, South Africa
Eli Just (39/8) Motherwell, Scotland
*Jesse Randall (6/1) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ben Waine (27/8) Port Vale, England
*Replacements
Withdrawals
Liberato Cacace (35/1) Wrexham AFC, Wales — injury
Callum McCowatt (28/4) Silkeborg IF, Denmark — injury
Alex Paulsen (5/0) Lechia Gdańsk, Poland (on loan from AFC Bournemouth) — injury
Ryan Thomas (23/3) PEC Zwolle, Netherlands — injury
Unavailable
Tim Payne (47/3) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Chris Wood (88/45) Nottingham Forest, England
How they rank
Ecuador are ranked #23, while the All Whites are currently ranked #85.
READ MORE: All Whites slip in FIFA men’s world rankings after latest international friendlies >>>>
The game will be available live and free on FIFA+ as well as TVNZ, official broadcaster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday November 19, 2025 (NZT)
Ecuador v New Zealand
Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey, 2pm (NZT)
This story was first published on November 19, 2025.
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