Hockeyroos into World Cup semi-finals after victory over Argentina
The Hockeyroos have won through to the World Cup semi-finals after a tense shootout victory over Argentina.
The quarter-finals match headed to penalties after finishing as a scoreless draw in regular time in London on Thursday morning.
Both teams' performances at this World Cup have been typified by strong defensive displays, with Australia only conceding three goals in their three pool matches, while Argentina have only conceded once in their last two matches.
As such, it was no surprise that the game was destined to be decided by a shootout.
Neither Hockeyroos goalkeeper Rachael Lynch nor Argentina's Belen Succi were really tested during the tense match at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre.
There were only six shots in the first half, with no penalty corners as both sides struggled to create clear openings.
That changed a little in the second half, although the resolute defending that was a feature of the first half remained.
Succi was called upon to make a brilliant save from Kathryn Slattery after the major break, before Lynch was able to block a counter attacking effort from Rocio Sanchez up the other end to maintain the 0-0 draw.
The shootout was just as nerve shattering as regulation time, stretching to 14 attempts on goal.
The drama ramped up straight away as Argentina's Delfina Merino had her opening shootout goal struck off after being timed out — players have just eight seconds to score after running at the goalkeeper from the 23-metre line.
After both keepers denied the strikers throughout the contest, Jodie Kenny levelled things up at 3-3 for the Aussies with a penalty stroke after being cut down by Succi.
Lynch then denied Magdalena Fernandez the chance to win it for Argentina before sudden death came into effect after the sides could not be split after five attempts each.
Australian forward Brooke Peris stepped up to slot the winning goal past Succi to down the third-ranked Argentinians 4-3 in sudden-death.
"I just focused on what I needed to do," Peris said post-match.
"She's a very good goalkeeper. I had a plan in mind and I just did what I wanted to do.
"It does come down to one on ones sometimes and you've got to get the job done."
In a tight match with only three penalty corners, Argentina had the better of the chances — including a goal disallowed for being too high — and edged to an early lead in the shootout against the fifth-ranked Aussies.
Experienced Hockeyroos shot-stopper Lynch denied Magdalena Fernandez at 3-3 to force sudden death.
Lynch was then left to sweat for several minutes on a video referral after she appeared to stick check Delfina Merino before saving the resulting re-take, setting the scene for the Peris winner.
"It was a bit longer than normal with all the referrals," she told host broadcaster BT Sport.
"But I have a lot of belief in these girls and that's why I can do my job because I know we're going to score a few and I trust them."
The Hockeyroos will now face either The Netherlands or hosts England in the semi-finals as the world number one and two lock horns in a repeat of the 2016 Olympic final.
The semi-finals will take place on Saturday afternoon local time, with the final and bronze medal matches being played the following day.
In the other quarter-final, Spain beat Germany to set up a semi-final clash with the winner of tenth-ranked India and surprise packages Ireland.
ABC/AAP
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