A stunning 70th minute goal from New Zealand's Clayton Lewis has denied Australia victory in an entertaining encounter at WIN Stadium on Friday night.
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With Australia leading 1-0 after largely controlling proceedings, Lewis stepped up to the mark to fire a free kick past Olyroos goalkeeper Thomas Glover to level the scores.
Desperate for victory in their first match on home soil in eight years, the Australians pushed hard for the match-winning goal, however it failed to eventuate, with the two teams locked at 1-1 at full-time.
Wollongong's Tate Russell was impressive throughout the match, the defender helping Australia suffocate the New Zealand attackers before he was replaced in the 82nd minute.
He also showed his prowess on the attacking side of the ball, with the 20-year-old delivering a number of effective crosses into the penalty box.
The match started in relatively even fashion, with both sides generating opportunities but unable to take control of the game throughout the opening 20 minutes.
Slowly, the Olyroos started to gain the ascendancy and it was the hosts who dominated the final 20 minutes of the first half.
The dominance converted into opportunities, with Australia having a number of chances to break the deadlock throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Riley McGree had one of the better opportunities in the 24th minute, with his shot denied on the goal line by a scrambling New Zealand defender.
Minutes later defender Brandon Wilson came close for Australia, while Nick D'Agostino had a couple of chances late in the half.
Ultimately, the New Zealand defenders held on, with the two teams heading to the sheds locked at nil-all at half-time.
The Olyroos picked up where they left off in the second half, with Denis Genreau generating the first of the quality chances in the 55th minute.
While Genreau was unable to convert, just a minute later McGree had far more success, with the Adelaide United striker pouncing on a Lachlan Wales cross to break the deadlock in the 56th minute.
The goal only served as further inspiration for Australia, with the Olyroos pushing forward with even more vigour in search of a second.
Despite generating a number of opportunities, Australia were unable to double their advantage and it was ultimately the Oly-Whites who hit back in the 70th minute.
With the refereeing awarding a free kick a couple of metres outside the penalty box, Clayton Lewis stepped up to the mark and delivered a stunning free kick to fire the ball past Glover.
Suddenly it was New Zealand who had all the momentum, with the Oly-Whites coming close to hitting the lead on a number of occasions.
This time it was Australia who held firm, and the Olyroos were able to generate a number of chances of their own late in the game,
Neither team was able to break through, however, with the match ending an entertaining draw.
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