Aussies take Argentina down in third of four-match series
In an unprecedented move, the women’s hockey team of Australia made a comeback into the series while defeating the World Champions, Argentina, by one goal, 1-0 in the third Test of the four-match series at the Sydney Olympic Park, Australia.
It was a fantastic comeback from the Hockeyroos, who suffered two defeats in the opening two games in the hands of Argentina. The Aussies displayed a stiff defence in the match and kept opposing the attackers off the score-board throughout the seventy minutes
of play. The Australian squad, comprising of young and experienced players, improved their game with each passing match and at last registered a win against the World’s Number One team.
Under the hard training of Adam Commens, the women of Australia improved their game and controlled the first half of play with striking strategies. Commens made the attacking game as a trade-mark of the Hockeyroos.
The Hockeyroos attackers, including Jade Close, and new-comer, Kellie White, carried out strikes in the early minutes to put Argentinean goalie under intense pressure. White and Jade played shots from the top of the circle, but went wide.
The Australians were playing the game quite confidently and trounced the world’s best team with their confidence. The ball mostly remained under the sticks of the Hockeyroos and they demonstrated excellent defence in the game. With impressive runs with
the length of the field, Marinie Hudson made the game more interesting.
The Australian defenders, including Jodie Schulz, Madonna Blyth and Casey Eastham, showed a mature game and did not commit a foul in the first half. However, they also could not score a goal in the period. Though the attackers of Argentina were not impressive,
the defenders showed stiff defence in the opening thirty-five minutes.
In the second half, Argentinean girls started more offensive game and earned a couple of penalty-corners in the early minutes. But they failed to capitalise either of them, as the hits went wide. However, they continued the impression of attacking strategies
against the Hockeyroos.
The Australian side was also showing mature stuff and stormed back against them. Eastham was at her best form and made plenty of passes to forward players. Hudson took a pass from Eastham and found herself alone in front of the post, but failed to exploit
the chance. The combination of Jade and Hudson gave tough time to Argentina in the second half. But the defence line of the defending champions did not lose them to pass the ball through the goalposts.
At last the consistent strikes of the Hockeyroos bore fruit for them and they succeeded to mark their first goal of the day. Ashleigh Nelson received a brilliant pass from Jodie Schulz and dribbled a couple of Argentinean girls to find a place at the top
of the circle. She punched a powerful dragging flick perfectly into the posts and established their first lead in the crucial game.
An end-to-end play was observed in the remaining time period, as Argentina carried out plenty of attacks to make the results equal. However, the players from Australia did not allow them to do so and recorded their first ever victory in the series.
The brilliant performance of the Hockeyroos made Adam Commens very pleased, as his hard-work really improved their game.
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