Socceroos news 2023: Australia def New Zealand 2-0 to claim ‘Soccer Ashes’

For the first time since 1954, Australia are owners of the ‘Soccer Ashes’ – with the Socceroos ending a winless streak that stretched back to March.

Harry Souttar celebrates with teammates after Australia opened the scoring. Picture: Getty

Australia has secured the “Soccer Ashes” and its first win in five internationals with a 2-0 defeat of New Zealand in London.

Goals from striker Mitch Duke and substitute Jackson Irvine ensured the Socceroos won for the first time since beating Ecuador 3-1 in March in Sydney.

While it was a relatively comfortable win over their trans-Tasman rivals, the Australians and their coach Graham Arnold would have been disappointed the margin wasn’t greater.

“The most important thing in these types of games is we’re creating chances, and we created plenty but we’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net,” Arnold told Network 10.

“You could see how sharp the boys were with the ball. They played some really good football, and it’s just the final part in the penalty box we’ve got to fix.’

Substitute Brandon Borrello missed a sitter in the closing stages, while Connor Metcalfe and Martin Boyle also had good chances to score, only to be foiled by New Zealand goalkeeper Michael Woud.

Jackson Irvine (obscured) scores Australia’s second goal in the comfortable win. Picture: Getty

Still, the performance was enough to win the “Soccer Ashes”, which were rediscovered this year in a suburban garage after vanishing in 1954.

Inside the small wooden trophy are ashes of cigars smoked by then Socceroos captain Alex Gibb and then All Whites skipper George Campbell after the first trans-Tasman match on Australian soil in 1923.

And while the trophy was the stake at Gtech Community Stadium, the match was more important as further preparations for the start of the Socceroos’ 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign next month.

Arnold made five change to the Australian team that started in last Saturday’s 1-0 loss to England at Wembley

Parma defender Alessandro Circati was given his national team debut, starting at the expense of Cameron Burgess. It was one of three changes to Australia’s back four.

Hibernian’s Lewis Miller started at right-back in place of Ryan Strain, while Melbourne City left back Aziz Behich came in for Kye Rowles.

Graham Arnold’s side has reclaimed the ‘Soccer Ashes’. Picture: Getty

In the midfield, Ipswich Town’s Massimo Luongo made his first Socceroos appearance since January 2019, starting in place of Irvine

The other change was on the left wing, where Belgium-based former Melbourne City young gun Jordan Bos replaced Craig Goodwin.

The Socceroos went ahead in the 13th minute after making the most of a well-placed cross from Miller.

Miller’s far-post ball was nodded back into the heart of New Zealand’s penalty area by impressive debutant Circati.

Centre-forward Duke was first to the ball, with his powerful shot earning him his 10th goal in 30 appearances for the national team.

There was some confusion as to whether the ball had flicked the chest of teammate Harry Souttar on its way to the back of the net.

Souttar was initially awarded the goal, however Duke was later credited with the goal on the match officials’ post-match paperwork.

After coming on in the second half for Luongo, Irvine sealed the win in the 76th minute when he headed home a corner from Boyle.

Originally published as Socceroos news 2023: Australia def New Zealand 2-0 to claim ‘Soccer Ashes’