Parma defender Alessandro Circati - an Italy U-20 representative - was handed his starting debut having declared his allegiance to Australia in June.

The 20 year-old looked comfortable in a revamped Socceroos backline as Australia took the lead in the 13' minute, the ball appearing to canon off Harry Souttar's chest from a set piece and into the New Zealand goal. 

The goal was confirmed, then attributed to Mitchell Duke, as Australia swiftly set about adding a second. 

After spurning a number of opportunities in the 1-0 loss to England, Arnold emphasised the need to put away more chances and it seemed like another frustrating evening for the Socceroos as Connor Metcalfe, Duke and Martin Boyle all missed glorious chances to extend Australia's lead. 

That moment finally came in the 76th-minute, when second half substitute Jackson Irvine met Boyle's corner to seal a 2-0 victory for the Socceroos.