Soccer: Untimely losses for Oly Whites, Ferns

New Zealand's Macro Rojas fights for the ball during a Olympic qualifiers' match in Seoul. Photo / AP

New Zealand soccer coaches Neil Emblen and Tony Readings were left to ponder untimely losses in key warm-up matches ahead of the London Olympics.

The men's under-23 team went down 2-1 to South Korea in Seoul while the 23rd-ranked Football Ferns lost 2-0 to seventh-ranked Canada in their Matchworld Women's Cup match in Switzerland.

After being forced on to the back foot for much of their clash with Japan three days earlier before scrambling a late goal and a 1-1 draw, the Oly Whites produced some patches of reasonable football against the Koreans but were still some way short of what will be needed at the Olympics.

The hosts took the lead after 18 minutes and if they had had their radar switched on could have scored a hatful given the number of corners they forced and the number of shots on goal they squandered.

"It was a definite improvement on Japan," said Emblen. "South Korea had their share of chances and could have punished us, but we asked the players to be braver on the ball and we created more chances.

"Korea were causing us trouble out wide but we addressed that at halftime and went toe to toe with them for a long period in the second half," said Emblen. "There's still plenty to work on but there were some positive things out there and we just need to hang on to those while we continue to improve those other areas."

New Zealand were rewarded with a 73rd-minute equaliser on the back of good work on the right by Adam Thomas. He got deep and fired a pin-point cross to Shane Smeltz on the penalty spot from where he struck the ball home.

Hopes of holding out for a second draw were dashed seven minutes from time when the New Zealand defence was found wanting and the home team cashed in.

The team fly to London today and face UAE in their final warm-up match in Austria on Friday.

Over in Europe, and up against their old coach John Herdman, the Football Ferns were below par.

"Canada were the better team and deserved to win that game," Readings acknowledged after Canada had twice scored from ball given away in the New Zealand midfield.

"It was a below par Football Ferns performance and nowhere near what we're capable of."

New Zealand play Colombia on Wednesday before flying to London.