Wales scores first international goal in thrilling draw against New Zealand

Australia’s U-23 side have been held to another 1-1 draw in a pulsating clash against New Zealand’s U-23’s at Campbelltown Stadium on Monday night.

The sides couldn’t be split in another entertaining encounter with a stack of chances at both ends.

Melbourne City attacker Lachlan Wales gave Australia the perfect start with his first international goal.

But a fantastic strike from New Zealand skipper Lachlan Rogerson ensured there was no separating the Trans-Tasman rivals for the second time in four days.

It took less than three minutes for Australia to take the lead as Wales pounced on a horrible mistake by New Zealand keeper Conor Tracey for the simplest of finishes.

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The Melbourne City flyer almost had a second soon after as he beat the offside trap and raced clear on goal, but Tracey made amends with a smart save.

All the chances were falling to Wales and the crossbar denied him on 27 minutes, while Nick D’Agostino also failed to capitalise on a gilt-edged opportunity.

The visitors made the Aussies pay for those misses with an equaliser before the break.

The ball fell to Rogerson in the box and he made no mistake with a composed finish past Thomas Heward-Belle.

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George Blackwood gets a shot away under pressure from New Zealand's defence
George Blackwood gets a shot away under pressure from New Zealand's defence

Chances continued to flow after the break as Heward-Belle did superbly to deny Myer Bevan, before Riley McGree – who scored Australia’s goal in the 1-1 draw last Friday – also going close.

Wales saw another effort fly just the wrong side of the post midway through the second-half, while Dylan De Jong saw his goal-bound strike stopped by a great reflex save by Heward-Belle.

In the end both sides had to settle for a draw in what was another key hit-out for Australia ahead of January’s AFC U-23 Championship in Thailand.

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Riley McGree makes a burst through midfield against New Zealand
Riley McGree makes a burst through midfield against New Zealand
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This article was originally published on the Socceroos website.
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