The Olyroos kicked off their Beijing Games build up by snatching a 1-1 draw against Mexico in front of a sellout 47,000-strong crowd in Oakland, California.

Newcastle Jets midfielder Troy Hearfield grabbed the equaliser two minutes from full time for the Australian under-23s in their first match since clinching qualification for Beijing last November.

The Mexicans opened the scoring at the McAfee Coliseum, courtesy of an own goal from Jets defender Adam D’Apuzzo, who deflected in a cross.

Mexico had the better of the chances but Australia defended gallantly, led by Fulham defender and acting captain Adrian Leijer.

Goalkeeer Tando Velaphi also impressed in place of banned Central Coast Mariners stopper Danny Vukovic.

The Olyroos’ equaliser eventually came when Leijer’s glancing header from a long throw-in was rammed in from close range at the far post by Hearfield.

It was an impressive result for Graham Arnold’s team against a Mexican side coached by legendary striker Hugo Sanchez.

“Today was our first step towards Beijing since we qualified, and while it was a good result, the main thing was the match gave me an opportunity to look at some different players and to see what they can do at this level,” Arnold said.

“We had a lot of young and inexperienced players on the field and I am very pleased with what we showed, especially given the respective preparations of the two teams and also the context of the game.

The match was promoted by Major League Soccer team San Jose Earthquakes, who share the stadium with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.

“Today was a great experience for our players to play in front of a large and noisy crowd and against a highly skilled and well-drilled team,” Arnold said.

The result extended the Olyroos unbeaten streak to nine.

The Mexicans begin their qualification campaign next week.

The draw for the August Beijing Olympics will be held on April 20.

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Stuart Musialik, the young midfielder with the golden touch, is now ex-pected to stay with the Newcastle Jets.

While the Jets will look towards go-to-man Joel Griffiths for the goals, Musialik’s distribution will be the real key for Newcastle in the A-League grand final against Central Coast at Sydney Football Stadium.

Musialik has given an indication through his new agent Tom Brooks that he will stay in his home town.

Jets football director Remo Nogarotto said that initial talks with Brooks had been very positive.

“There is goodwill with both sides,” Nogarotto said. “We have agreed how the framework will be put together. We decided to put the pencils down until after the grand final and pick them up again on Monday.”

The Jets are also hoping to secure Ruben Zadkovich, who has been released by Sydney FC and who also has Brooks as his manager.

“I’d like to have the two players signed up before they leave for San Francisco on Wednesday with Australia,” Nogarotto said.

Nogarotto remains confident that Tarek Elrich and Adam D’Apuzzo, who are also in the Olympic squad for the game against Mexico on March 2, will be wearing the Jets’ colours again after the grand final.

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