New Zealand Olympic men's football coach Neil Emblen admits there is much work to be done before the Olympics despite a 1-1 draw against Japan in Tokyo last night.
A well-taken goal from late substitute Dakota Lucas in the fourth minute of time added on gave a balanced look to the scoresheet following Kenyu Sugimoto's 71st minute opener and a dominant display by the home side.
The equaliser, set up by Kosta Barbarouses who worked back to pinch the ball off a Japanese defender before teeing up Lucas - aided by a Marco Rojas stepover - was a rare shot on target for the Oly Whites who spent most of the night putting in a dogged defensive shift led by captain Ryan Nelsen.
Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson was busy but dependable in goal and was unfortunate that his save from Yuhei Tokunaga's daisy cutter fell into the path of Sugimoto for the home side's goal.
Emblen had close to his full Olympic squad at his disposal for the first time with overage players Shane Smeltz and Michael McGlinchey joining Nelsen in the line up although he was still missing front line All Whites Chris Wood and Tommy Smith who meet the team in Korea for Saturday's second warm up match.
