The Hockeyroos have come close to pulling off an impressive comeback against reigning world champions Argentina, coming back from 3-0 down to fall short at 3-2 tonight in Canberra in game 1 of the 4 test series.

Despite the loss, the Hockeyroos have gained valuable experience against the world number 1 team, exposing four more debutants in Jacklyn McRae, Hollie Webster, Sally O’Toole and Elizabeth Duguid against world class players.

In the Hockeyroos first match in Australia for 2011 they almost made the perfect start when they were awarded a penalty corner within the opening minute of play. However the shot from Jodie Schulz was well saved by the Argentinian goalkeeper.
Despite holding their own against Argentina, the crisp passing and ball control by Argentina created several opportunities for the away team, and put the Hockeyroos defence under some pressure.

This created issued for Duguid in goal, who was confronted with some of the world’s greatest attacking players in her very first game.

She looked settled, but eventually Argentina found their way onto the scoreboard at the seven minute mark to take the lead.

Argentina looked certain to score again only minutes later when a great pass from Sofia Maccari found Rocio Sanchez Moccia alone in the circle, but a great attack from Duguid in goals stopped any possible shot.

The Hockeyroos were not without their chances, but the superior ball handling and passing by Argentina was evident. Argentina were particularly dangerous near goal, scoring from both of their penalty corner attempts to take a commanding 3-0 lead at the 27 minute mark.

Their lead could have been even more after Rosario Luchetti found the ball in the circle and beat Duguid, only for the ball to slam into the goal post.

Despite trailing heavily on the scoreboard the Hockeyroos remained competitive, and continued to attack.

They were given a significant amount of momentum when youngster Jodie Schulz scored Australia’s first goal from her third penalty corner attempt from the one play at the 32 minute mark to give the Hockeyroos some chance leading into the half time break.

Argentina started the second half well but it was Australia who had the first real goal attempt of the half with a pass in the circle to striker Ashleigh Nelson beating the Argentina defence but the deflection sailed just left of the goal.

With neither team able to make any inroads onto the scoreboard as the half progressed Argentina looked certain to hang onto their lead. However a late surge by the Hockeyroos in the final ten minutes put Argentina under legitimate pressure.

After several attempts near the circle a great piece of individual play by Kellie White resulted in a slick pass to Jade Close, who made no mistake with her shot to give the Hockeyroos some hope with nine minutes remaining.

Demonstrating their fitness, the Hockeyroos were well in command in the dying stages, and an equalising goal seemed a legitimate chance.

However despite some good attempts, they were denied by the Argentina defence with the final score remaining 3-2.

Despite the loss the experience of the young Australian team facing the reigning world champions will prove invaluable, with coach Adam Commens saying he expects further improvement as the series continues.

“It was a reasonable start to the series I think that in the next game we will want to see some significant improvement on that. Our ball handling is on a level that I would think Is at the top international standard and I’d like to see us link some passes together more regularly than we did today. I think on the other hand when you saw how Argentina move it, it highlights why they are world champions,” said Commens.

Commens said there was plenty of positives to take away from the game.

“I think it was encouraging that Jodie was able to slot another corner we did create a few chances towards the end to equalise and that is an encouraging trait to show that you have the physicality to come over a team in the last ten minutes like we did,” said Commens.

He said he was also pleased with his debutants.

“It’s always difficult to make a debut in defence and when you have two debutants in defence its always going to be a difficult task against the best forwards in the world. I thought they performed solidly, there were a few positional things that we need to sort out but I’m sure with more experience they will be able to do that,” said Commens.

The Hockeyroos will next play Argentina in Canberra on Tuesday 5th before moving the series to Sydney on Friday 8 April.

Hockey Australia