GB Women suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat against Argentina in their third match of the FIH Pro League 2023-24 season.
Agustina Gorzelany (25′) and Eugenia Trinchinetti (47′) were the goalscorers for the hosts, while Tessa Howard (34′) scored the lone goal for GB.
With both teams looking for their first win of the season, the opening quarter saw breathless action. GB created an early opportunity to score, but Hannah French’s shot was denied by the Argentine goalie Clara Barberi.
The hosts immediately responded and had a clear-cut opening at the goal to take the lead, but in-form Sabbie Heesh made a sublime save to keep the scoreline intact at 0-0. Argentina then were rewarded with a penalty corner but missed out on converting it.
GB too made inroads, but the Argentine goalie kept the visitors at bay. They were reduced to 10 players for 10 minutes when Tessa Howard was shown a yellow card for a danger at the end of the first quarter.
As a result, Argentina dominated the majority of the second quarter, they earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 17th minute, but couldn’t avail of opportunities. They yet again won a penalty corner in the 25th minute and were successful in breaking the deadlock through Gorzelany. Heesh did manage to get a stick on the high ball, but Gorzelany’s drag-flick had too much force on it as the ball ended across the goal line making it 1-0 in favour of the hosts.
In return, GB earned their first penalty corner of the match but missed out on converting it, thus trailing by a goal at the end of the first half.
GB started the second half brightly and were successful in equalising in the 34th minute of the match. Giselle Ansley’s drag-flick during the penalty corner routine took a deflection and crashed into the foot of an Argentine defender on the goal line, rewarding into a penalty stroke. Howard made no mistake as she slotted the ball into the top corner of the goal to bring things back on level terms.
The hosts earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 39th and 40th minute respectively, but Heesh stood tall to deny Argentina from restoring the lead, ending the third quarter at 1-1.
However, the home side’s winner came two minutes into the final quarter through Trinhincetti’s deflection during a penalty corner routine, making it 2-1.
GB gave their best in their bid for an equaliser. They also received Heesh with three minutes remaining for the final hooter, but couldn’t make much of it as they went down 1-2 in their third match of the season.
They will face the Netherlands in their last match of the mini-tournament at 2200 hrs UK Time.
GB Men went down 1-4 in the shootout after the match ended in a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Jacob Draper (12′) scored for GB, while Lucas Martinez (24′) equalised for Argentina in the allotted 60 minutes.
In the shootout, the hosts converted all four attempts through Nicolas Keenan, Tomas Domene, Maico Casella and Tobias Martins. For GB, only James Albery converted while Zach Wallace and Lee Morton were denied by Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago.
The game started with both teams making cautious runs. GB managed to break the deadlock in the 12th minute of the match through Draper’s field from the far post.
The home side replied immediately and earned their first penalty corner of the match, but missed out on converting it. Argentina again had a golden opportunity to equalise at the stroke of quarter time, but they again failed to convert the penalty corner.
After an end-to-end action at the start of the second quarter, Argentina scored the equaliser in the 24th minute through Martinez from an open play. Agustin Mazzilli made a skilful run at the baseline, breaching the GB defence, and passing the ball to Martinez whose shot was arched over the goalpost, but somehow managed to land over the goal line, making it 1-1 at the end of the first half.
GB created a couple of goalscoring opportunities in what was a quiet goalless third quarter. They had a penalty corner in the 40th minute to restore their lead, but the Argentine goalkeeper made a remarkable save.
The start of the final quarter saw Argentina making dangerous forays inside GB’s striking circle and creating some chances. Meanwhile, GB had a penalty corner in the 58th minute, but couldn’t find a winner in the regulation time.
They will face the Netherlands in their last match of the mini-tournament at 0030 hrs UK Time.
