The first match of the Western Sydney Wanderers Asian Tour finished in a draw as Shimizu S-Pulse scored a long range rocket in the dying moments of the game.

In driving rain Tony Popovic selected a strong squad for the first ever match for the Wanderers in Asia. Antec Covic, Adam D'Apuzzo, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Michael Beauchamp, Jerome Polenz, Tomi Juric, Aaron Mooy, Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, Iacopo La Rocca, Mark Bridge, Shinji Ono all started for the Wanderers.

After half an hour it was Tomi Juric who continued his good pre-season form to open the scoring. Iacopo La Rocca dispossessed an S-Pulse player then release Juric, the striker finishing the chance with aplomb. 5 minutes later the game was level, with Murata heading home after a left footed cross from Sanuka. Just before the break the Wanderers took the lead once more, as the S-Pulse keeper parried a shot from Ono at the feet of Kwabena who couldn't miss.

Changes at half-time included Tyson, Cole, Heffernan, Trifiro and Haliti, with Heffernan taking a position in central defence. The game remained locked until late on. With what must have been nearly the last kick of the game Hattanda for S-Pulse took aim from long distance and fired the ball past Tyson to draw the game.

As with most pre-season matches this game was about the performance more than the result, and on the face of it this 2-2 draw suggests a good performance across the board, and one that will help continue to build the Wanderers pre-season campaign.

The Wanderers next match is against Guangzhou on Sunday the 8th of September.