Aussies at home indoors

It was the first ever futsal international to be played in New Zealand.

First-half goals to Jared Basger and Laureano Gomez gave Australia a 2-0 halftime lead before a toe poke from close range by Fernando de Moraes closed out the match at ASB Stadium in Auckland.

The Whites were continually thwarted by Futsalroos goalkeeper Peter Spathis.

Both sides failed to create any clear-cut opportunities in the opening exchanges until 17-year-old New Zealand debutant Elliot Collier hit the Futsalroos' upright.

Moments before the opening goal, Futsalroos captain Toby Seeto struck New Zealand’s post with a rasping drive. From the ensuing restart Whites goalkeeper David Plowright could only parry a deflected Roberto Maiorana shot into the path of the Basger for an easy tap-in.

James Vaughan had the Whites' best opportunity in the first half after solid work by Daniel Burns but his sliding effort was blocked in double-teamed defensive effort by Dean Lockheart and Lachlan Wright.

A second goal seemed inevitable for the Futsalroos after a series of saves from Plowright towards the end of the first spell and the Whites resolve was broken seconds before the break after another back post tap-in from Gomez.

In the second half Spathis was in form and on one occasion was quick off his line to save at point-blank range from Eakins.

At the other end De Moraes made sure of the result by slamming home a toe poke from close range with eight minutes remaining.

Futsalroos coach Steven Knight later credited Spathis for a solid performance and was looking forward to some well earned rest ahead of the next match in the series on Saturday night.

”Peter was the backbone of our qualification for the World Cup,” he said.

”When you're playing quality teams you need a good goalkeeper and Peter is one of those."