By Rachel Lilburn
The New Zealand over-40s will meet Iran in a play-off for 3rd place in the 17th edition of the Seniors World Cup in Thailand.
After topping their group with three wins and a draw, New Zealand met England in the semi-final, in a rematch of the 2024 final, which England won 1-0.
This year, the English side proved much stronger and beat the New Zealanders 5-0.
New Zealand’s last game of the tournament will be the play-off with Iran on Saturday, June 7 (game time to be confirmed)..
England will meet Australia in the tournament final.
Main photo: Action from New Zealand’s group game against Taiwan.
READ MORE: New Zealand over-40s return to Thailand, chasing glory at Seniors World Cup >>
New Zealand at the Football for Kids day.
Meanwhile, all participating teams are asked to bring some gifts for local children, such as football gear, balls and souvenirs from their home country, providing an opportunity for the group to see the impact of giving back to the community.
The Football for Kids session was held on Friday June 6, in the lead-up to the semi-finals.
Match reports
After wins in their first two games, the New Zealanders faced Hong Kong on Tuesday night.
Hong Kong started well, putting the Kiwis under pressure in the opening 20 minutes, and going 1-0 ahead.
The Kiwis got back into the game in the second quarter with Graham Little rolling back the years and finishing well to level the scoreline.
After half time, the New Zealanders started to take control of the game. A well-taken Steve McMahon goal put them into the lead, soon followed by another from Mickey Malivuk.
Bryan Little, with a spectacular free kick from 20 metres, rounded off the scoring, and the game finished 4-1.
The team picked up a few injuries in this game and had the following day off before facing Australia.
Player of the Match was Karl Whalen.
New Zealand’s starting line-up against Australia.
On Thursday, New Zealand faced a confident Australian team, going behind in the first quarter.
Mickey Malivuk equalised at the start of the second quarter, and the team went on to create a number of good chances, some narrowly missed and some saved by the Aussie ‘keeper.
The Australians regained the lead against the run of play.
The New Zealanders never gave up and finally got their reward with Steve McMahon making the last cross of the game in the third minute of added time for Malivuk to score, prompting wild celebrations in the Kiwi camp.
Unfortunately, the team picked up more injuries to key players.
Regan Cameron (fractured cheekbone) and Jimmy Cudd (hip injury) were forced to miss the semi-final against England.
New Zealand on the attack in their group game against Australia.
About the Seniors World Cup
The Seniors World Cup is an annual invitational tournament for players over 40, organised by the Seniors Football Association of Thailand and supported by the Thai FA.
The tournament was set up in 2006 to help bring back the tourists after the 2004 Boxing Day Indian Ocean tsunami, and it’s run annually ever since, bar two COVID-disrupted years.
New Zealand have participated since 2008, and their 1-0 loss to England in 2024’s final was the best result they’ve had.
READ MORE: New Zealand take runners-up spot at Seniors World Cup in Thailand >>
This year’s tournament has been hosted in the Chonburi province, with the Kiwis based in the coastal town of Jomtien.
The playing format is four 20-minute quarters. Each side must have three players aged 40–44, four aged 45–49 and three aged 50 or older on the pitch at all times. The over-50s are allowed rolling subs.
Results
Game played Sunday June 1, 2025
New Zealand 5 (Miroslav Malivuk x2, Chris McIvor, Bryan Little, Jimmy Cudd)
United States 0
Game played Monday June 2, 2025
Taiwan 0
New Zealand 3 (Miroslav Malivuk 2, Tim Butterfield)
Fixture
Game played Tuesday June 3, 2025
New Zealand 4 (Graham Little, Steve McMahon, Miroslav Malivuk, Bryan Little)
Hong Kong 1
Game played on Thursday June 5, 2025
New Zealand 2 (Miroslav Malivuk, 2)
Australia 2
Fixtures
Game to be played on Saturday June 7, 2025
Play-off for third
New Zealand v Iran
Sattahip, Thailand, kick-off TBC
Final
England v Australia
Sattahip, Thailand, kick-off TBC
2025 New Zealand Over-40s
Richard Gillespie, Matthew Dillon, Scott Clayton, Jamie Duncan, Paul Muollo, Craig Alderdice, Steve McMahon, Tim Butterfield, Miroslav Malivuk, James Cudd, Bryan Little, Chris McIvor, Regan Cameron, Davey Ure, Darren Cheriton, Kevin Thompson, Julian Peach, Martin Packer, Paul Whitmarsh, Michael Woodside, Andrew Pickering, Karl Whalen, Ersel Kizilay, Graham Little. Dave Batty, David Copson, Paul McIvor, Nick van Hattum.
If you are interested in being involved in future tournaments, contact David Batty at Dbatty21@gmail.com.
Some games have been livestreamed on the Facebook channel: https://www.facebook.com/sfathailand
Rachel Lilburn
Hamilton-based Rachel Lilburn is the mother of a football-mad youngster, a team manager and volunteer. She writes for WaiBOP Football as well as contributing stories to Friends of Football.
This story was published on June 7, 2025.