AUCKLAND – Olyroos captain Mark Milligan scored a heart-breaking 81st minute winner against the Thai Airways Oly-Whites as Australia clinched a five goal thriller with three set-piece goals in Sydney on Saturday.
Milligan scrambled the ball home after New Zealand failed to clear a free kick, sealing the win after earlier giving his side a 25th minute lead with a well taken header from a corner.
Jeremy Brockie equalised twice for a largely NZFC-based Oly-Whites who went toe-to-toe with an Australian side drawn from A-League and European clubs.
Epitomising New Zealand’s disregard for reputations was fullback Ian Hogg, singled out by coach Stu Jacobs for his defensive job on dangerous Derby County winger Ruben Zadkovich.
Brockie’s first goal – a 28th minute header – was provided by from a wide Daniel Ellensohn free kick, but his second was all his own making, weaving past three players before coolly slotting the ball past Australian keeper Tando Velaphi six minutes after halftime.
In between Brockie’s brace, an Australian throw-in made its way to Adelaide United midfielder Kristian Sarkies, whose 37th minute volley from the edge of the 18 yard box gave the Olyroos a 2-1 halftime lead.
Oly-Whites head coach Stu Jacobs was “gutted” to lose but took plenty of positives from the way his side responded to the challenge of a highly fancied Australian side.
“They were a step up from Chile, and you’d expect that after something like 14 qualifying games through Asia,” Jacobs said.
“They’ve got quality all over the park, but we defended well as a group and forced them to go long at times.
“We’re creating chances, and taking them, which is pleasing but we need to be more composed with the ball, because we’re doing awfully well without it.
“These matches are stepping stones to the Olympics but we want to win internationals. That said, it’s another step in the right direction.”
The Thai Airways Oly-Whites head to Wahroonga to meet 2008 A-League premiers Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday, before travelling to Jakarta for three matches including a clash against the full Indonesian national team.
New Zealand open their Olympic campaign against China in Shenyang on August 7, before a marquee fixture against star-studded Brazil three days later, and a final pool match against Belgium in Shanghai on August 13.
Thai Airways Oly-Whites 2 (Jeremy Brockie 28, 51) Australia 3 (Mark Milligan 25, 81; Kristian Sarkies 37)
North Sydney Oval,
Sydney, Australia
Thai Airways Oly-Whites: Jacob Spoonley (GK), Steven Old (captain), Jack Pelter, Michael Boxall, Ian Hogg (Hone Fowler 78), Sam Jenkins (Joel Mathews 88), Cole Peverley, Cole Tinkler 65), Shaun van Rooyen, Daniel Ellensohn, Jeremy Brockie, Sam Messam (Craig Henderson 55).
Substitutes not used: Liam Little (RGK), Aaron Scott.
Head Coach: Stu Jacobs.
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