The Junior All Whites men's footballers have narrowly lost to Honduras in a FIFA under-20 World Cup warm-up game, beaten 2-1 in Warkworth.
New Zealand captain Bill Tuiloma, back in the country for the first time in the lead-up to the tournament after being released by French Olympique Marseille, opened the scoring in the sixth minute at Shoesmith Domain, with a rasping free kick struck from 25 yards.
Bill Tuiloma (R) and team-mates celebrate his opening goal Photo: Photosport
The visitors levelled things up in the 27th minute when Brian Rochez Meija clipped the ball around New Zealand goalkeeper Oliver Sail when through one-on-one after a swift counter attack.
Honduras, who will contest Group F along with Germany, Fiji and Uzbekistan, went 2-1 up in the 63rd minute when Albert Elis Martinez finished well inside the New Zealand penalty area.
New Zealand's final warm-up match is against Austria on Sunday at Bays City Park with kickoff at 1pm.
The Junior All Whites open the World Cup on May 30 at North Harbour Stadium with their Group A clash against Ukraine.