Chris Wood’s time away from Nottingham Forest on international duty is slightly different to his teammates, with New Zealand already qualified for the World Cup.
Unsurprisingly, Forest’s hitman often recreates his goalscoring form for his country, with Wood scoring a hat-trick against Samoa last year, followed up by an identical display against Fiji.
This form has meant he is the all-time top scorer for New Zealand, firing home regularly to help his nation qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the USA next summer.
In the meantime, then, Wood and New Zealand are contesting two matches with Australia in what is known as the Soccer Ashes, with the Kiwi media now giving their verdict on Wood’s display in the first of the games.
Chris Wood challenges Milos Degenek in the air during Australia vs New Zealand.
Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
The Soccer Ashes were renewed in 2023 after the trophy had gone missing in the 1950s, giving Wood and his teammates something to play for before he returns to the City Ground.
However, a late Australia goal saw the All Whites lose the first game 1-0, with a report from the New Zealand Herald detailing a frustrating occasion for Wood.
The report said: “Captain Chris Wood was denied twice by goalkeeper Paul Izzo and will have regrets about the first opportunity, after he was released by a clever Singh pass.
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“[…] The All Whites should have gone ahead after 17 minutes, when Wood was set free. It was a good save by Izzo – who narrowed the angle well – but the Nottingham Forest striker will wonder what might have been.
“Unsurprisingly, Wood was at the centre of most of the best first-half chances. A raking Singh ball almost found him, while Tim Payne couldn’t pull his cross back for the No 9. An example of the All Whites’ confidence came just before halftime, which culminated with Wood again being denied by Izzo at his far post.”
The chances came for Wood, then, but he couldn’t capitalise before being subbed off after 62 minutes. However, looking deeper into the stats, it was the sort of frustrating display that he’s experienced for Forest in recent weeks.
Chris Wood’s New Zealand frustration was familiar
He may have had chances as the report detailed, but when delving deeper into the stats, Wood had little opportunity to make an impact against Australia.
Statistic Chris Wood vs Australia Chris Wood vs West Ham
Touches 18 15
Touches in opposition box 1 3
Shots 2 3
Aerial duels won 2/2 1/2
In an almost identical style seen in Forest’s loss to West Ham, his teammates simply couldn’t find Wood in the positions that allow him to make an impact, with only four touches in the opposition’s box across the two fixtures.
He won his aerial duels against Australia, but the Kiwi star simply relies on the service of his teammates, which wasn’t present in either game.
Wood was incredible against Brentford on the opening day of the season when the service was provided, so if New Zealand can supply him, they have a shot in the second clash with Australia on Tuesday.