Auckland, Nov. 12 -- The Indian men's national team suffered a 0-5 defeat to New Zealand in their first friendly match of the November window at the Go Media Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, on Thursday. Both sides will meet again in Christchurch on Sunday.

In what was the Blue Tigers' first-ever match in New Zealand, Jesse Randall struck a brace, while Chris Wood and Lachlan Bayliss also found the net after a Bijoy Varghese own goal opened the scoring, according to a press release from AIFF Media.

Making his first national team appearance since last June, India goalkeeper Vishal Kaith made a string of fine saves, including a second-half penalty to keep the scoreline from worsening.

Leading India out as skipper for the first time sinc...