Jesse Randall doubled his career goal tally with a hat-trick in just his 19th appearance for New Zealand, recording his first brace in national team colours to help bed down a starting spot that has mostly eluded him throughout his time as an All White.
New Zealand are 50 spots superior to India in FIFA's world rankings and demonstrated their class edge throughout with multiple goals in each half, edging ahead in the fifth minute owing to some shambolic defending from their visitors.
Pramveer Ranbir's attempt to clear a cutback from Randall into the box ricocheted into teammate Bijoy Varghese and past goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, who had just recorded the first of his eight saves for the match.
Randall added two goals within a ten minute stretch before half-time as the All Whites racked up seven first-half shots on target with their 61% possession.
The goals followed through captain Chris Wood and 24-year-old Auckland FC midfielder Lachlan Bayliss after half-time.
The two teams will meet again on Sunday afternoon under the glass roof of One NZ Stadium in Christchurch, at the same time that the New Zealand and Indian men's cricket teams play the 5th ODI in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga.
It will be the farewell match for head coach Darren Bazeley after four years and more than 40 matches in the role, with his contract not extended beyond the end of 2026 after the All Whites officially finished last (48th) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
India's squad is not at full strength with the team also attempting to defend their SAFF Championship title with a youthful squad in Bangladesh, meaning the national team is juggling two commitments at once.
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
