A cool-as-a-cucumber Hockeyroos outfit has won through to the World Cup semi-finals after a tense sudden-death shootout against Argentina.
The quarter-finals match headed to penalties after finishing as a scoreless draw in regular time in London on Thursday (AEST).
Australian forward Brooke Peris stepped up to slot the winning goal past opposition goalkeeper Belen Succi to down the third-ranked Argentinians 4-3 in sudden-death.
"I just focused on what I needed to do," Peris said post-match.
"She's a very good goalkeeper. I had a plan in mind and I just did what I wanted to do.
"It does come down to one on ones sometimes and you've got to get the job done."
In a tight match with only three penalty corners, Argentina had the better of the chances - including a goal disallowed for being too high - and edged to an early lead in the shootout against the fifth-ranked Aussies.
Experienced Hockeyroos shot-stopper Rachael Lynch denied Magdalena Fernandez at 3-3 to force sudden death.
Lynch was then left to sweat for several minutes on a video referral after she appeared to stick check Delfina Merino before saving the resulting re-take, setting the scene for the Peris winner.
"It was a bit longer than normal with all the referrals," she told host broadcaster BT Sport.
"But I have a lot of belief in these girls and that's why I can do my job because I know we're going to score a few and I trust them."
Meanwhile, tournament outsiders Spain upset the sixth-ranked Germans 1-0 in the earlier quarter-final on a 54th-minute goal from Carmen Cano.
Australia will face either the first-ranked Netherlands or second-ranked England for a spot in the final on Saturday at 11pm (AEST).
Share
