Argentina clinches four-match series against Australia by 2-1
The women’s field hockey team of Argentina emerged victorious in the four-match series after the last game was drawn between the two striking squads. Amazingly, no single goal was scored in the seventy minutes of play and Argentina captured the series by
2-1.
However, the Australian women proved that they could beat World Champions and this confidence will serve them into the upcoming 2011 Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held on June 25 in Netherlands. The recent series against World Number One was very crucial
for Adam Commens to finalise the players’ selection process for the future tournaments.
Argentina after losing the third match of the series started most aggressive game in the final show. In the early minutes, the Argentinean girls received a short-corner, but failed to capitalise it. The goalie of the Hockeyroos excellently cleared the ball.
In the mid of the first half, Australia also earned a penalty-corner, but Jodie Schulz failed to convert it into a successful goal. The duo teams were in action to create pressure on either side and get a lead in the game, but failed to do so.
Apart from the defence, Argentina was looking very dangerous in the attacks. It was a great struggle from Rachael Lynch that saved many goals for Australia and kept the score level at the half-time action.
At the start of the second half, Jade Close managed to dribble the Argentinean players and found her alone in front of the goal. But her powerful drag flick went over the posts and they missed a lucky chance to take the game into their favour.
Kobie McGurk was awarded a green card and resultantly sent out from the field for two minutes. The Argentinean players attempted to take the advantage of her absence, started more aggressive game, and obtained a short-corner within the two minutes. However,
the custodian of the Hockeyroos deflected the strike and saved her team from a leading goal of Argentina.
In the later time, Ashleigh Nelson found her alone in front of the Argentina’s goal, but failed to capitalise the opportunity. With minutes left on the clock, the players from the two squads were in a frantic condition. The Hockeyroos earned another penalty-corner
in the concluding moments of the game, but to no avail. They failed to make it a historic finish and time completed with both teams holding a 0-0 deadlock with them to the sidelines. This draw served to Argentina and they won the series by 2-1.
Adam Commens, the chief coach of the Hockeyroos, in a pleasing state said that his team did not allow the World Number One to score a single goal in the last two games of the series. It was truly an artistic series and they have much improved their game
as compared to their last visit to Argentina, he added.
The 2011 Champions Trophy will be an utmost future task for Australia, which is scheduled to be held in the last week of June. It is vital to mention here that the women of Australia failed to get a spot in 2010 in the renowned tournament for the first time
in history. However, the Hockeyroos are thinking to deliver an impressive performance in the next edition and upgrade their 6th position in the world ranks.
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