Hockeyroos full of confidence and through to quarterfinals with five wins from five

The Hockeyroos including WAIS graduates Georgia Wilson and Karri Somerville have extended their winning run to a historic fifth straight win to seal their best ever lead into the quarterfinals at an Olympic Games.

The world number two team have surpassed the performance of the gold-medal winning 1988, 1996 and 2000 Hockeyroos, who were also unbeaten, but had at least one draw in their pool matches. 

A 2-0 win over Argentina sealed their spot at the top of pool B setting up a quarterfinal against India.

“It’s not every day you win five out of five at an Olympic Games but unfortunately this is now the business end and that won’t count if we go into a quarter final and aren’t successful,” Captain Jane Claxton, said. 

“We are going into the quarter finals with a lot of momentum, we want to win. 

The Australian defenders were called on from the start of the match with Argentina taking it to them with Somerville’s speed and agility key to holding off the onslaught.

Both sides were regularly in the others circles though through to three quarter time neither side had managed to find the back of the net.

In a controversial move, Argentina challenged the field umpire’s call after Australia broke away in attack from a missed penalty corner. The referral stopping play and preventing a possible runaway goal by the Hockeyroos.

The tables turned just minutes later when Savannah Fitzpatrick scored with a a backhander to hand the lead to Australia. As the clock ticked down Steph Kershaw to Fitzpatrick to Chalker made it two for Australia and put the result beyond doubt.