Hockeyroos conquer world number three Germany in thrilling shootout win

The Hockeyroos are brimming with confidence after continuing their winning run of form in London with a resurgent penalty shootout win over Germany.

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Less than 24 hours after a comfortable 3-0 win over Great Britain, the Hockeyroos were fired up and ready to take on another top-five side at Lee Valley Hockey Stadium.

With the game tied on a nil-all draw at halftime, all of the goal-scoring action would come in the second half with Germany taking a strong lead scoring two goals in the space of three minutes. The first came through a great field goal off of a fine pass to Hanna Granitzki who would tap it away and put Germany ahead, before a penalty corner followed soon after resulting in a two goal lead for the side.

Facing a small mountain to climb against a top side, the Hockeyroos fired into gear to claw back the deficit. A deliberate push by the Germans inside the Hockeyroos circle would lead to a penalty stroke opportunity and Tatum Stewart took her chance.

Sailing the ball with a mighty stroke into the back right of the net, Australia would head into the final quarter one goal down.

Both sides came out firing with multiple shots on goal until a great equaliser came Australia's way. Jane Claxton delivered with a deadly strike off of a rocketing pass by Grace Young, which evaded the German defence in the circle. 

The intensity lifted with both teams desperate to avoid a penalty shootout and the Hockeyroos almost gained the lead for the first time in the match through a swinging strike down towards the goal from Renee Taylor, where Rebecca Greiner was ready to tap it in with a flick. 

The goal wouldn't stand citing Renee's hit a dangerous play and by the end the match would be left to Aussie goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram to save a direct shot on target by Germany with 40 seconds remaining, sending the match to a shootout.

"It's always difficult trying not to get too caught up in what comes next and staying in the moment in the game, so it was good to make that save and give the girls a chance to get the extra point," Jocelyn said post-match.

The Hockeyroos only had one miss in the shootout which was enough thanks to Jocelyn whose two great saves allowed Kaitlin Nobbs to deliver for Australia, smashing it on the turn to secure the win.

"You go through the whole roller coaster of emotions right away when it's happening, you think all right here we go, we've got to get ready for this and then whilst it's happening and just having the moment to be like one on one with a player is something that's really special," Jocelyn said.

"I really love doing it, it really challenges your skills and your ability to defend the net so ultimately, I always look forward to them.

"To come back from 2 - 0 down as well gives us the belief that if we are down in a game we can come back and fight hard so that's a really good learning for us and a really good thing to be carrying forward. Any moment you get to practice high-pressure situations is exactly what we're after in the lead-up to Paris and we got a lot of those today so it was a really good outcome."

The Hockeyroos and Kookaburras have a day to review, rest and recover before facing Germany again on Wednesday morning. The Hockeyroos will play after the Kookaburras at 2.45am AEDT.

Match Details
Hockeyroos v Germany
Hockeyroos: 2 (Tatum Stewart 45' (PS), Jane Claxton 51' (FG))
Germany: 2 (Hanna Granitzki 36' (FG), Nike Lorenz 39' (PC))
At Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre, London

Hockeyroos: 3. Brooke Peris (c), 4. Amy Lawton, 6. Penny Squibb, 7. Aleisha Power (gk), 11. Alice Arnott, 15. Kaitlin Nobbs, 20. Karri Somerville, 21. Renee Taylor, 22. Tatum Stewart, 29. Rebecca Greiner, 30. Grace Stewart, 1. Claire Colwill, 2. Rosie Malone, 5. Grace Young, 14. Stephanie Kershaw, 18. Jane Claxton, 19. Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 24. Mariah Williams