Japanese star Yuzo Tashiro marked his Wolves home debut with a goal, but Wollongong finished on level terms with Manly United in a 1-1 draw at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
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Tashiro, who has made three international appearances for Japan, showed his class when he opened the scoring with a super right-foot effort five minutes into the second half.
It was his second goal in three appearances this season, but the Wolves were unable to finish United off after the strike.
Brendan Cholakian equalised for the visitors 13 minutes later to give both sides a share of the spoils.
Wolves coach Jacob Timpano felt his team should have got more from the clash, but was happy with the performance.
“At home you want to take the three points, but in saying that I thought we played some pretty good stuff,” he said.
“I think we matched them, if not played better then them in the second half against a team that is high in the competition.
“It is early days. A win, a draw and a loss in the first three games. You will probably take that.”
Manly came into Sunday’s match on the back of two impressive victories to start the season and looked to carry that form in the opening 20 minutes of the match.
Former A-League striker Dylan Macallister was a constant threat up front early on, but couldn’t find a way past Wollongong keeper Justin Pasfield.
The Wolves worked their way into the clash and went into the sheds level at 0-0.
That scoreline last just five minutes in the second half as Tashiro finished off a sensational attacking move that was orchestrated by Josh MacDonald.
Cholakian’s equaliser came in the 63rd minute after some lackadaisical defending allowed the talented attacker to head home from six yards.
He nearly had a second shortly after when his chipped effort found the crossbar before he then forced Pasfield into a great save with a rasping long-distance shot.
Illawarra also pushed hard for the winner, but couldn’t muster the strength needed to overcome a determined United outfit.
“We had a couple of half chances in the first half but I thought in the second half we dominated the match,” Timpano said.
“At 1-0, we probably could have been a bit more clinical and scored a second.
“Unfortunately it was a bit of a sloppy goal we conceded.
“Overall, Manly are a top team who are coming off two very good wins. We showed that we can compete with the big boys of the competition.”
