All Whites captain Chris Wood admits Japan is one of his favourite hunting grounds for goals ahead of today\u2019s Kirin Cup opener against Panama in Yokohama.<\/p>\n
Wood has joined the All Whites squad in Japan following their two matches in China and returns to the international arena for the first time since this year\u2019s FIFA World Cup, as New Zealand take on Panama at 7:10pm NZT Thursday night.<\/p>\n
The skipper has a strong scoring record on Japanese soil, with a brace against Japan in 2014 and another strike against the Samurai Blue in 2017.<\/p>\n
Add to that, his two goals at the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021 where Wood led New Zealand to the Quarterfinals before their eventual elimination on penalties to hosts Japan (Wood converted his spot kick despite the 4-2 defeat in the shootout).<\/p>\n
The 34 year old says over the course of his professional career, he\u2019s found returning to venues that hold fond memories, often provides a boost.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, it’s very nice when it’s things like that. You also get the good relationships against teams you’ve played for at club level and things like that.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you do have those games and those teams and those areas and stadiums that you know you can do well at. It just gives you that little bit more confidence, hopefully, that we’ll play in these next two games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Victory against Panama tomorrow would see the All Whites play the winner of the other Kirin Cup match up between Ecuador and hosts Japan.<\/p>\n
A win would also see New Zealand continue their unbeaten streak so far in this international break after a 2-2 draw against Palestine and a 3-0 win over China.<\/p>\n
Wood says after limited game time so far this season with English Premier League club Nottingham Forest, he\u2019s relishing the chance for minutes after two impressive attacking performances from the All Whites this international window.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe China game showed exactly what we can do, if given the chance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s nice to see the boys taking their opportunities and nice to see the boys putting in good performances, both the Palestine game and the China game.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s fantastic that we’ve been able to score five goals in those two games and the challenge is to now go and score five more in the next couple of games, it’ll put us in great stead to do well in this competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ranked 46 by FIFA, this year\u2019s World Cup participants are likely to test New Zealand\u2019s resolve.<\/p>\n
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley says players will need to raise their level against the Central Americans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know it was a strong performance in China, but we also know that where they’re ranked and the level of opposition is getting tougher. So the challenge is to maintain and progress again for this performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’ll be a different line-up and a different challenge and we go into every game preparing the same, looking to win.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there’s a few bits that I think we’ve set a standard now in the China game with some of the things that we did in the aspects of some of the style of play, which was really pleasing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0Bazeley says not only is the Kirin Cup an opportunity to continue the All Whites\u2019 momentum, it\u2019s also a chance for new players to establish themselves in the squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you look through our squad now, it’s the blend of players that played at the World Cup, players that were at the World Cup but didn’t play, and players that were not selected for the World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s definitely an opportunity for some of the wider group to push themselves forward and put themselves in a position where they get regularly selected over the next few years.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo a big opportunity, but also an opportunity for us to keep pushing forward, like we did in the last game and keep showcasing ourselves, showing the style of football that we want to play and that we can be an effective team when we do the right things well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The All Whites coach also provided a squad update, with Callum McCowatt returning to Danish club AGF following an head injury against China while confirming veteran Michael Boxall had joined the squad in Japan.<\/p>\n
Forward Moses Dyer, who was added to the squad for the games in China, will now stay with the team for the remaining two games of the international window against Panama and Ecuador or Japan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The All Whites match against Panama kicks off at 7:10pm NZT and will be available live and free on TVNZ and FIFA+ via DAZN.<\/p>\n
Article added: Wednesday 30 September 2026<\/p>\n
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