AUCKLAND – The Thai Airways Oly-Whites have continued their encouraging Olympic build-up by beating reigning A-League minor premiers Central Coast Mariners 2-1 in Wahroonga on Tuesday.
After splitting a two match series with Chile’s U-23s in Wellington in early July, and being edged 2-3 by a strong Australian U-23 side on Saturday, the win is another promising sign from Stu Jacobs’ team as they prepare for their Olympic opener against China on August 7.
“It’s another encouraging performance,” New Zealand coach Stu Jacobs said.
“These games are all stepping stones to Beijing, but it’s nice to win them.”
“We’ve just beaten an A-League side and got very close to Australia so you can’t ask for much more than that considering our preparation.”
Daniel Ellensohn put New Zealand in front after 20 minutes with a wide free kick that curled into the box and inside the far post without a decisive touch from either a defender or attacker.
The Oly-Whites doubled their lead with another set-piece 14 minutes later, as a Cole Peverley corner took a number of deflections before eventually crossing the line.
The Mariners grabbed a goal back 15 minutes from fulltime, breaking down the left hand flank through former Wellington Phoenix winger Ahmed Elrich who pulled the ball back across goal for Australian international striker Sasho Petrovski to finish from close range.
Jacobs was pleased with the way his side backed up after Saturday’s loss to the Olyroos.
“We had a tough, tough game against Australia on Saturday and worked really hard in training yesterday so we had some tired bodies out there,” Jacobs said.
“We made a number of changes to give everyone a run but we went into the game with plenty of desire, and some clear goals.
“We wanted to press higher, and we did. We wanted to play a bit, and we did.”
The Oly-Whites fly to Jakarta early on Wednesday where matches against clubs sides PSMS Medan (July 20) and Persija (July 26) sandwich a clash against the Indonesian national team on July 24.
Former Fulham midfielder Simon Elliot is the first over-age player to join the squad on July 18, with Celtic striker Chris Killen arriving in Jakarta on July 23. Ryan Nelsen meets the side in Beijing.
Thai Airways Oly-Whites 2 (Daniel Ellensohn 20, own goal 34) Central Coast Mariners 1 (Sasho Petrovski 75)
Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga
Tuesday 15 July
Thai Airways Oly-Whites: Jacob Spoonley (GK), Aaron Scott (captain / Joel Mathews 46), Steven Old, Michael Boxall, Ian Hogg (Hone Fowler 20), Shaun van Rooyen (Jack Pelter 55), Cole Tinkler (Sam Jenkins 46), Cole Peverley, Craig Henderson (Sam Messam 70), Jeremy Brockie, Daniel Ellensohn.
Substitutes not used: Liam Little (RGK).
Head Coach: Stu Jacobs
Story Courtesy of NZF Media. For full story visit www.nzsoccer.com