The Hockeyroos are away to a strong start in the World League Final tournament after holding world No.1 ranked hosts Argentina to a 1-1 draw in a thrilling opening pool match.
Captain Madonna Blyth's team weathered an early onslaught from the world champions, the dominant team for the past decade, before a sellout 6000-strong crowd in Tucuman on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Sparked by legendary Luciana Aymer, a seven-time world player of the year, Argentina scored first through a close-in deflection by attacker Delfina Merino.
But the world No.5 ranked Australians showed why they are a rising force under coach Adam Commens as they worked their way into the high-paced game and they were rewarded for their pressure when a fierce strike into the circle clipped the stick of defender Ana Rodriguez Perez and flew in for an own goal four minutes before halftime.
Both teams had great chances to score in the second half, with 36-year-old Aymar going the closest when she forced a miraculous diving save from Australia's Rachael Lynch.
The tournament features the world's top eight teams playing in two pools.
Australia next play China who were 2-0 victors over New Zealand to lead Pool B after day one.
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