Wanderers Keanu Baccus, Tate Russell, and Tass Mourdoukoutas all started in Australia’s U23 squad who took on New Zealand in a highly-anticipated friendly in Wollongong last night.
It was the first match on home soil in close to eight years for the Olyroos, who started on the front foot at a windy WIN Stadium.
Adelaide United’s Riley McGree broke the deadlock just after the interval with a tidy finish.
But a delightful 71st minute free kick from Kiwi Clayton Lewis, of Scunthorpe United, ensured spoils were shared in the first of the two-match series.
Australia meet the Kiwis again in Campbelltown on Monday, September 9.
The second match of this Trans-Tasman tussle is the perfect tune-up for the Olyroos, who will travel to Thailand in January to compete in the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship.
International Friendlies – Australia U-23 v New Zealand U-23
Date: Monday, 9 September 2019
Venue: Campbelltown Stadium, Campbelltown
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Tickets: Available at www.socceroos.com.au
