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SYDNEY - Some Jeremy Brockie brilliance couldn't prevent a 2-3 defeat for New Zealand against Australia in their opening under-23 Olympics soccer warmup match here today.
The 20-year-old midfielder, formerly of the New Zealand Knights and Sydney FC, showed his potential value to the Oly-Whites in China with a double, including a stunning individual goal at North Sydney Oval.
But it wasn't quite enough as former Sydney FC defender Mark Milligan bagged his second from a goalmouth scramble to clinch victory for the Olyroos in the 79th minute.
Brockie's second was the highlight of an entertaining match which coach Stu Jacobs described as an "encouraging start" to a five-match warmup campaign before their Olympic opener against China in Shenyang on August 7.
With the hosts leading 2-1 early in the second half, Brockie took possession and beat three Australian defenders before rounding goalkeeper Tando Velaphi and nudging the ball home.
The Oly-Whites were coming off a 1-0 win over Chile Under-23 in Wellington and made a confident start today against an Olyroos side missing Europe-based Neil Kilkenny, Adam Federici and over-age player David Carney.
New Zealand were without their three over-age players - Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen and fellow senior All Whites Chris Killen and Simon Elliott who arrive in time for their Olympic opener.
Brockie was in all the attacking play, and blasted a volley wide from close range in the 21st minute.
At the other end, defender Michael Boxall cleared off the line after goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley was left stranded.
Milligan scored first in the 26th minute, heading home from a Kristian Sarkies corner, but Brockie replied two minutes later with a header of his own, from a Daniel Ellensohn free kick.
Sarkies gave the Olyroos the lead in the 38th when a loose ball landed at his feet in the New Zealand penalty area.
It was game on when Brockie stunned the Australian defenders with his 52nd-minute goal, three minutes after he was booked for a heavy challenge.
But the Australian defence was too solid in the final quarter and Milligan sealed it from another goalmouth scramble.
Spoonley tipped a Sarkies shot over the bar with seven minutes remaining to keep the margin respectable.
The Oly-Whites now face A-League side Central Coast Mariners on Sydney's North Shore on Tuesday before leaving for Jakarta where Killen and Elliott will join them in time to play Indonesia and two club sides.
- NZPA
