The New Zealand Olympic men's soccer squad lost 1-2 to Indonesia in a pre-Games warm-up in Jakarta.
Coach Stu Jacobs added over-age striker Chris Killen and midfielder Simon Elliott into the mix of his under-23 team and was satisfied with their impact last night.
Glasgow Celtic player Killen
was fresh off the plane and played 75 minutes while London-based Elliott played the last 30 minutes of the game.
"It's really encouraging. Chris gave us a great platform up top... (he) gives us the ability to go forward off his play.
" Simon's been chomping at the bit to play but we're just holding him back a wee bit yet.
"His organisation, quality and experience showed when he came on and even in training he's taking the sessions up a level."
New Zealand's third over-age player, Ryan Nelsen is due to join the team from England's Blackburn Rovers in Beijing.
Indonesia took a 2-0 lead with goals in the 12th and 30th minutes.
Firman Utina fired a powerful free kick past goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley with the help of a deflection from Cole Tinkler and Bambang Pamungkas got the second.
Striker Jeremy Brockie brought New Zealand back into the game a minute before halftime with a low drive just inside the left hand upright of the Indonesian goal.
He missed an equaliser moments later, Indonesian goalkeeper Markus Horison getting a touch to a fine shot.
Neither team could add to the score after the break although Shaun van Rooyen, Craig Henderson and Brockie went close to finding an equaliser.
" We came away with plenty of positives. We finished the game really well, had three or four gilt-edged chances and for the last 15 or 20 minutes the Indonesians weren't even in it," Jacobs said.
The Oly-Whites finish their Olympics build-up with a match against Indonesian Super League club, Persija Jakarta, on Saturday night.
New Zealand Oly-Whites 1 (Jeremy Brockie 44) Indonesia 2 (Firman Utina 12, Bambang Pamungkas 30). Halftime 1-2.
- NZPA
