Kolkata, Nov. 12 -- Silver linings in a 5-0 defeat is difficult. But if in Auckland, India found a goalkeeper who can challenge Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, it would take some edge off the mauling. Vishal Kaith's distribution should have been better but without him, the margin could have easily doubled. After four of the five matches against teams from the 2026 World Cup, India have shipped 16 goals and scored two. There is no stopping the deluge that has followed the creditable draw against Panama.

New Zealand were not in the mood to ease off after racing to a 3-0 lead at half-time. They penned India in their penalty box and used Kaith, who pulled off six saves, for target practice. An own-goal from Bijoy Varghese (5th) and two more from Jess...