TIRED OLY-WHITES GO DOWN IN INDONESIA

AUCKLAND – A travel-weary Thai Airways Oly-Whites side will look to restore energy levels after losing 0-2 to Indonesian club side Persikota Tangerang in Jakarta on Sunday night.

Persikota – a late change from the PSMS Medan opposition New Zealand were scheduled to play – scored in the 29th and 74th minutes to beat an Oly-Whites side still on a high from strong showings in their last four outings, including wins over Chile and the Central Coast Mariners.

“It’s a bit of a reality check,” New Zealand coach Stu Jacobs said.

“We didn’t play as well as we could have and we looked a wee bit ragged to be honest.”

“We were just too loose on the park. We had opportunities and probably had more possession than them but just didn’t use it well enough.

“We’re not accepting losing fixtures because we want to win every time we play but we realise we went into the game with players carrying niggles and had some fatigued bodies out there.

“The key now is to get people injury free and ready for Indonesia on Thursday.”

Midfielder Sam Jenkins left the field with left the field after just 20 minutes with a tight hamstring – which will be assessed overnight to gauge the extent of the injury – while striker Daniel Ellensohn also picked up a knock to an ankle and was substituted midway through the second half as a precaution.

Over-age player Simon Elliott – who joined the squad from London on Friday – did not take the field, with Jacobs preferring to give the 54 cap All White his first run against Indonesia.

“We just wanted to give him a bit more time really. He’s just got off a long flight and there wasn’t a great deal of value risking him in this game on what was a pretty average pitch.”

The Oly-Whites now face the Indonesian national team on Thursday before completing their build-up against club side Persija on Saturday. Celtic striker Chris Killen joins the team in camp on Wednesday and will be available for both clashes.

At the Olympics, New Zealand play hosts China and gold medal contenders Brazil in Shenyang on August 7 and 10 respectively before completing pool play against European dark horses Belgium in Shanghai on August 13.

In Jakarta: Thai Airways Oly-Whites 0 Persikota Tangerang 2

Thai Airways Oly-Whites: Liam Little (GK), Aaron Scott (captain), Michael Boxall, Steven Old, Ian Hogg, Sam Jenkins (Sam Messam 20), Shaun van Rooyen, Cole Peverley, Craig Henderson, Jeremy Brockie, Daniel Ellensohn (Cole Tinkler 66).
Substitutes not used: Jacob Spoonley (RGK), Jack Pelter, Simon Elliott.
Head Coach: Stu Jacobs

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