Oly-Whites beaten by Indonesia

NZPA ©

The New Zealand men's soccer Olympics squad lost 1-2 to Indonesia in a pre-Games warm-up in Jakarta.

Coach Stu Jacobs added over-age striker Chris Killen and midfielder Simon Elliott into the mix of his under-23 team and was satisfied with their impact last night.

Glasgow Celtic player Killen was fresh off the plane and played 75 minutes while London-based Elliott played the last 30 minutes of the game.

"It's really encouraging. Chris gave us a great platform up top . . . (he) gives us the ability to go forward off his play.

"Simon's been chomping at the bit to play but we're just holding him back a wee bit yet.

"His organisation, quality and experience showed when he came on and even in training he's taking the sessions up a level."

New Zealand's third over-age player, Ryan Nelsen is due to join the team from England's Blackburn Rovers in Beijing.

Indonesia took a 2-0 lead with goals in the 12th and 30th minutes.

Firman Utina fired a powerful free kick past goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley with the help of a deflection from Cole Tinkler and Bambang Pamungkas got the second.

Striker Jeremy Brockie brought New Zealand back into the game a minute before halftime with a low drive just inside the left hand upright of the Indonesian goal.

He missed an equaliser moments later, Indonesian goalkeeper Markus Horison getting a touch to a fine shot.

Neither team could add to the score after the break although Shaun van Rooyen, Craig Henderson and Brockie went close to finding an equaliser.

"We came away with plenty of positives. We finished the game really well, had three or four gilt-edged chances and for the last 15 or 20 minutes the Indonesians weren't even in it," Jacobs said.

The Oly-Whites finish their Olympics build-up with a match against Indonesian Super League club, Persija Jakarta, on Saturday night.

Scores

New Zealand Oly-Whites 1 (Jeremy Brockie 44) Indonesia 2 (Firman Utina 12, Bambang Pamungkas 30). Halftime 1-2.