New Zealand have fallen to a narrow 2-1 defeat to Colombia at Fort Lauderdale, but Darren Bazeley's team again looked competitive with elite opposition before next year's World Cup.
Missing key players Chris Wood, Libby Cacace and Ryan Thomas, the All Whites were stunned after just three minutes, when Gustavo Puerta finished off a sweeping Colombia move to score on debut.
Kosta Barbarouses came close to levelling for the All Whites in the first half, but his powerful effort bounced wide, after a strong hand from goalkeeper Álvaro Montero.
Trailing 1-0 at the break, New Zealand were forced into a spell of emergency defending after the restart. Finn Surman recovered brilliantly to deny Jhon Córdoba an open tap-in, after Luis Díaz had nipped in behind. At the same time, Max Crocombe stayed sharp to claw away efforts from Jefferson Lerma and later James Rodríguez's trademark left-foot rocket.
But with Colombia unable to put the game away, New Zealand stayed in the fight and, for a while, it seemed they would be rewarded.
Increasingly influential, Sarpreet Singh drove into the box, before cutting the ball across for substitute Ben Old to beat keeper Alvaro Montero to it and poke home a deserved equaliser with just over 15 minutes remaining.
The momentum had shifted and in-form Jesse Randall nearly gave the All Whites the lead with a powerful volley that drifted agonisingly wide of the Colombian goal.
Moments later, New Zealand were punished for a slack piece of defending.
A hopeful long ball caused hesitation between Storm Roux and Surman, leaving Crocombe stranded, as Johan Carbonero stole in to restore Colombia's lead.
New Zealand tried in vain to make one more attempt, but they fell short.
Despite the defeat, the All Whites leave Florida with credibility enhanced. Against one of South America's strongest sides, they again proved they belong on the World Cup stage.
Next up, Ecuador in New Jersey on Wednesday.
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