Australia pulled off a satisfying win over Argentina last night in the third of a four-match friendly hockey series.

The Hockeyroos played a strong defensive game ensuring that Argentina was not able to get a point on the board, defeating the world number one team 1-0.

The new-look Hockeyroos under coach Adam Commens showed substantial improvement in their game play since losing the first two matches in Canberra last week.

“I think as the game went on we adjusted to the tactics that they were playing against us,” Commens said. “I was really happy with that.”

Since taking over as head coach, Commens has made some serious changes to the squad bringing in a host of fresh young players.

“We have a really good mix of youth and experience,” he said. “With a bit of work they are going to really come together and having the chance to play a side like Argentina is really invaluable.”

The first half of the match at the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre, saw both sides applying pressure with the Hockeyroos really controlling the game with a strong attacking game.

As the first half closed out, both sides had built strong momentum and were in the hunt for a goal, but despite a penalty corner to Argentina in the dying minutes, no team was able to score.

The second half saw a lot more confidence from both sides with an increasing number of shots at goal.

In the first 10 minutes, Argentina were awarded two penalty corners but Australia’s defence was too strong and they were unable to capitalise.

“Our penalty corner defence is something we really pride ourselves on,” captain Madonna Blyth said.

“They’re a very attacking side and the amount of corners you can limit often limits their goals.”

Blyth, the most experienced player in the team with 189 international games under he belt, was altogether happy with the team’s performance but recognises that they will have to dig deep to back up in their fourth and final match on Saturday.

“It’s always good to get a win and it’s always good to beat Argentia,” she said. “We’ve got a couple of girls new into the squad here in Sydney and we want to keep improving every game.”

Australia were unlucky not to score a couple of times early in the second half, with Marnie Hudson slipping in the circle losing control of the ball and then Jade Close facing a wall of Argentian defence in front of the goal.

However, with 18 minutes remaining on the clock, 24-year-old Ashleigh Nelson saw the Hockeyroos get a point on the board. The young striker from Western Australia received a pass from teammate Jodie Schultz and pushed the ball to the circle striking it into the net for the first and only goal of the match.

Argentina made a strong bid to equalise throughout the remaining minutes of the game, but the Hockeyroos held strong and took the win.

“I think the work that our forwards are doing in defence in putting pressure on the opponent is getting to be really good,” Commens said.

“It was a good performance. It’s great to get a victory against them.”

The two sides meet for the fourth and final match at 4pm, Saturday 9 April at Sydney Olympic Park.

Alice Wheeler
AOC