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The Olyroos were forced to rely on a 79th minute winner from captain Mark Milligan to overcome a competitive New Zealand 3-2 at North Sydney Oval today.
The Olyroos were made to work hard in their final home match prior to Beijing by a well organised New Zealand team also preparing for their Olympic campaign.
Milligan scored the first of his two goals in the 26th minute with an impressive header from a Kristian Sarkies corner.
The visitors equalised just two minutes later through striker Jeremy Brockie who guided in a powerful header with Daniel Ellensohn the provider.
Sarkies ensured Australia went into the halftime break in the lead with a strike from the edge of the penalty area seven minutes prior to the interval.
Brockie levelled the score for a second time early in the second half with an impressive virtuoso goal.
The former Sydney FC attacker dribbled past several defenders before rounding Australian goalkeeper Tando Velaphi for the goal of the match.
Milligan scored the decisive goal from close range after a Trent McClenahan cross caused chaos in the New Zealand goalmouth.
Coach Graham Arnold went into the match without the services of European-based trio Adam Federici, Neil Kilkenny and overage player David Carney while key striker Archie Thompson remained on the bench.
New Zealand also had to do without key players with their trio of overage squad members, Chris Killen, Simon Elliott, and Ryan Nelson, all absent.
“We played well today,” said coach Graham Arnold.
“I think if anything the conditions of the field helped them (New Zealand) a little bit.
“They are physically a big side, and can use their physical presence a little bit more than we can.
“That (today’s performance) is the type of football the boys have been playing the last few months.
“We are working a lot on our combination play.
“The only disappointing thing is that we didn’t get on the end of things to finish off good movements and get on the end of crosses. We should kill those games off earlier.
“The first goal (conceded) was disappointing because it was a set piece, we have to be better and more professional than that.
“Their second goal was a bit of a wonder goal, you won’t see that too often.
“Defence starts from the front and in midfield, and I thought in the first half we really chased them, gave them no time on the ball and pressed them very well.”
Meanwhile, a first half strike from substitute Leena Khamis sent retiring Matilda Di Alagich out with a win as Australia defeated New Zealand 1-0 at North Sydney Oval today.
Khamis scored her first international goal nine minutes prior to the interval after heading home a pin-point Heather Garriock ball.
The match was a hard fought contest with limited goal mouth action.
New Zealand’s best chance came early in the second half with a strike from captain Hayley Moorwood hitting the side netting.
The win stretches the Matildas’ unbeaten run against the Beijing bound Kiwis to 18 matches, dating back to 1994.
Adelaide raised Alagich drew the curtain on an illustrious 13-year national team career after representing Australia at three World Cups and two Olympic games.
Long serving skipper Cheryl Salisbury reached a personal milestone when she became the first Australian footballer to reach 150 caps.
Matildas coach Tom Sermanni was impressed his team could secure the win after a less than ideal preparation.
“It wasn’t the prettiest performance but it was a performance that showed considerable character given the upheaval in the squad and the fact that we arrived back from China just before the match,” he said.
“We allowed New Zealand to play their own game and dictate terms more than I would’ve liked.
“The good thing is to win at international football even when the team is not playing at their best, and it’s important we keep doing that.”
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