Last gasp winner for Hockeyroos

Match Review ARG - AUS 1-2

Watch clips from the Argentina - Australia game at…Posted December 7, 2015

A last gasp winner from Georgina Morgan clinched the points in a dramatic finale to day two at the Argentina HWL Final.

This was a clash between two titans of women's hockey as the world number two side Australia faced the world number three team, Argentina. With both sides sharing possession and enjoying periods where they dominated proceedings, the knowledgeable hockey crowd were treated to a match of intensity and skill, albeit with few scoring opportunities.

The host nation took an early lead when Delfina Merino (4') – who celebrates 200 caps today – was on hand to slam the ball home after a characteristically innovative attacking move that left the Australia defence chasing shadows.

The speed of the attack rocked the Hockeyroos momentarily but as the quarter progressed, the world number two side came back into the game, playing with their usual direct attack line. The goal was really the only thing separating these two teams for the remainder of the first half.

Kathryn Slattery was busy hassling the Argentina defence but her efforts were always met with a flat stick, while at the other end of the pitch Georgina Morgan, Jodie Kenny and the rest of the Australian defence held an equally strong line. As the clock hit zero at half-time, Argentina won another penalty corner as Martina Cavallero was knocked off course by Kenny. The resulting shot flew wide of Ashlee Well's goal.

The second half saw Australia start on the front foot as Emily Smith weaved through the defence to win a penalty corner. Kenny's shot, though hard, was straight at Belen Succi, who padded it away.

Smith was causing problems a few minutes later as she tore up the left of the pitch and unleashed a lifted ball that brought a top-drawer save out of Succi. Slattery followed up, but Succi was on hand to parry.

Carla Dupuy's run up the right relieved the intense pressure that Australia was piling on Argentina, but her subsequent cross failed to find a Las Leonas stick. With seven minutes left on the clock, Australia really piled on the pressure and were rewarded when Jodie Kenny slammed home a straight shot from a penalty corner. Succi had saved everything in the air, so the shot to the bottom corner was a wise choice from the Australian corner specialist.

It was now Argentina's turn to go on the attack and Carla Rebecchi was desperately unlucky to see her shot ricochet off the post. Australia countered, but Succi saved. The clock counted down and Australia won a penalty corner, which Georgina Morgan slammed into the back of the net.

Goals

Team	Minute	Shirt #	Player	Action	Score
ARG	4	12	MERINO Delfina	FG	1 - 0
AUS	53	7	KENNY Jodie	PC	1 - 1
AUS	60	17	MORGAN Georgina	PC	1 - 2

Cards

Team	Minute	Shirt #	Player	Type
ARG	5	12	MERINO Delfina	G
AUS	60	26	SMITH Emily	Y

ARG

Minute	Shirt #	Name	Goals	Green
X	1	SUCCI Belen
30	2	TOCCALINO Sofia
X	3	ZULOAGA Victoria
22	6	CEDRES Jimena
7	7	CAVALLERO Martina
8	9	DUPUY Carla
X	11	REBECCHI Carla
X	12	MERINO Delfina	1	1
Bench	13	ALADRO Maria
X	14	HABIF Agustina
X	15	GRANATTO Maria
X	16	HABIF Florencia
X	17	SANCHEZ Rocio
10	18	ROMANG Pilar
10	19	ALBERTARRIO Agustina
X	23	CAMPOY Maria Pilar
X	27	BARRIONUEVO Noel
X	29	GOMES Julia

AUS

Minute	Shirt #	Name	Goals	Yellow
4	1	NANCE Gabrielle
X	2	NANSCAWEN Georgia
3	3	PERIS Brooke
X	5	WELLS Ashlee
X	6	DWYER Kirstin
X	7	KENNY Jodie	1
3	8	NELSON Ashleigh
50	10	FITZPATRICK Madison
X	11	McMAHON Karri
X	12	BLYTH Madonna
4	13	BONE Edwina
X	17	MORGAN Georgina	1
X	18	CLAXTON Jane
X	20	SLATTERY Kathryn
5	21	TAYLOR Renee
X	24	WILLIAMS Mariah
X	26	SMITH Emily		1
16	27	LYNCH Rachael

DNP = Did not participate
S = Suspended
DSQ = Disqualified

Match Officials

Role	Official
Umpire 1	JOUBERT Michelle
Umpire 2	BLOCK Frances
Reserve Umpire	MEISTER Michelle
Video Umpire	UNKA Aleesha
Judge 1	TAKEDA Alicia
Judge 2	SHIN Jung Hee
Technical Officer	AKII-BUA Nataki

Pool A

Pool B

ARG V AUS ( Pool B ) Hockey World League Final Rosario 2015