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The Hockeyroos had to fight back from 1-0 down to stay undefeated in the World League Finals tournament, eventually sending hosts Argentina to a soul-destroying defeat in front of a large home crowd.
Young gun Georgina Morgan hit a blistering shot that sailed into the back of the net from a penalty corner as the siren sounded to end an epic battle between two of the titans of women’s hockey.
With the Hockeyroos ranked number two and Argentina three, this was always going to be a massive game.
Local hero Delfina Merino gave the host team the early lead in her 200th match, being in the right spot to slam the ball past the Hockeyroos defence for a 1-0 lead after four minutes of playing time. Both teams’ defences held firm after the opening onslaught, and the Hockeyroos knew they had a fight on their hands.
With play heading from end to end, Emily Smith weaved through a gap of defenders to win a penalty corner, but flick queen Jodie Kenny launched the ball into the padding of Belen Succi for no score.
At the 53rd minute, the Hockeyroos won another crucial penalty corner, and this time Kenny nailed it home to level the scores. Succi had been able to stop everything to this point, looking like an impenetrable wall, but the Australian corner specialist hit the net with a low shot to the bottom corner.
Argentina began to get on the attack and the Aussie defenders had to fight hard to stop the momentum with the clock winding down. Then Morgan scored, handing the away side a great fighting victory.
“Look it’s a wonderful feeling. They stuck it to us and we had to fight right to the end, to score after the hooter we just couldn’t be happier,” said Kenny after the game.
And of her own key goal to level the scores at the 53rd minute, Kenny said, “It was nice to have a crack and hit one so it was a good feeling.”
The Hockeyroos now enjoy a rest day and front up again against Great Britain on Wednesday morning at 4.15am (AEST).
Follow Jason on Twitter @jased1973