Hockeyroos prevail over Leonas, while Leones use final quarter turnaround and win bonus point
Switzerland (MNP) The opening day of the FIH Hockey Pro League action from Hobart saw Australia take on Argentina in the women’s and men’s competition. The women’s match was played first with the home team winning 2-0 thanks to goals by Hannah Cullum-Sanders and Renee Taylor and some excellent defending by Penny Squibb. In the men’s match the Kookaburras seemed to be coasting to a comfortable win thanks to a Jeremy Hayward brace, but two goals in the final quarter brought Argentina level and they won the bonus point in the shoot-outs thanks to heroics of goalkeeper Emiliano Bosso.
Women’s – Australia vs Argentina 2-0
Australia took an early lead in the game, taking a free hit quickly through Grace Stewart on the right side of the circle, having won it by pressing Argentina high in their own half. Hannah Cullum-Sanders got ahead of Eugenia Trinchinetti, who was marking her, and deflected a shot to the far post. Argentina won their first penalty corner in the final minute of the first quarter but Gorzelany’s attempted flick was well run down by Stewart. Australia started the second quarter on the front foot once again and doubled their lead with their third penalty corner of the game, through a powerful Renee Taylor drag flick. Australia faced heavy pressure on their goal, especially after receiving two green cards in the final four minutes of the half, but defended brilliantly and took a 2 goal lead into the half.
Argentina mounted heavy pressure on the Australian goal one again in search for a route back into the game. They registered two big chances, the first falling to Trinchinetti as she pounced on a missed trap by the Australian defence. She broke into the circle from the right and took a shot on with no pressure, but it was saved well by Australian keeper Aleisha Powers. The second chance came from the left as a lifted shot by Julie Jankunas managed to beat Powers but went just off the target. With 7 minutes left in the game Argentina won a penalty corner, their first of the second half, but their variation was a whisker away from hitting the target, but went just wide to the right. Penny Squibb made a goal line save in the final minute from a penalty corner as Australian defence preserved its clean sheet and took all 3 points.
Penny Squibb who was outstanding in the Hockeyroos defence throughout, was awarded player of the match and said: “Argentina are a tough team to beat but we took our chances and our defence played a great game. It’s a great way to start the mini-tournament at home and we look forward to the next game against the USA.”
Men’s – Australia vs Argentina 2-2 (SO 2-4)
Australia were dominant in the first quarter and produced the best chance early in the game as Lachlan Sharp broke into the circle and got a tomahawk shot away from the left, but it was saved by keeper Emiliano Bosso. Argentina defended well but Australia got on the board in the final minute of the opening quarter, with captain Jeremy Hayward depositing a powerful drag flick across the goalkeeper into the bottom right corner. Australia doubled their lead midway through the second quarter with Hayward soring a repeat of his first goal, with a powerful drag flick low to the right side of the goal. Argentina failed to pose a real threat on the Kookaburras goal in the opening half as the hosts went into the break up 2-0.
