Kookaburras and Hockeyroos both beat Argentina

Penny Squibb scored the winner for the Hockeyroos against Argentina. (AP PHOTO)

The Kookaburras and the Hockeyroos have turned their fortunes around in the Belgian leg of the FIH Pro League with twin wins over Argentina.

The Kookaburras came from behind to beat Argentina 4-3, while a 47th-minute strike from Penny Squibb got the Hockeyroos over the line 1-0.

The win for the Australian men came less than 48 hours after a 2-1 reverse to the South Americans.

Tom Wickham got Australia off to a flying start with a goal in the third minute.

But Argentina scored three of the next four goals to lead 3-2 midway through the second half.

Skipper Aran Zalewski set up striker Jeremy Hayward with an incredible ball which he slotted straight through Argentina's goalie to score the equaliser in the 57th minute.

With the clock running down, Craig passed to prolific goal-scorer Blake Govers, whose perfectly-timed strike handed the Kookaburras their first win of the stage.

"There's no better guy to have on the end of it," said Craig of Govers, who has scored 144 goals in 157 internationals and is returning to international competition following an injury layoff after his last game at the FIH Pro League in February.

"It's an Olympic year so teams just get sharper and sharper the closer it gets to the Olympics," added Craig.

"I think starting probably with a couple of losses this leg definitely sent a bit of a rocket up us.

"We had a really good debrief of the first two games, came together really well on our rest day, and just wanted to put out a good 60 minutes and played right to the end, which was very pleasing."

Earlier in the day in Antwerp, the Hockeyroos claimed a clutch 1-0 over Argentina, having also started the series with back-to-back losses.

It was a much-improved performance across the field as both Australia and Argentina battled to break the deadlock right up until the fourth quarter.

Player of the match Karri Somerville starred in defence for Australia.

Squibb's match-winner came after the Hockeyroos earned a penalty corner a couple of minutes after the third break,

Both Australian teams will be back in action on Sunday night (early Monday AEST) against Belgium.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store