Germany and Australia played in the final game from the FIH Hockey Pro League mini-tournament in Sydney, Australia and produced remarkable hockey. The hosts grabbed the lead thrice in the game, but the Danas clawed back each time, sending the game into a shoot-out, where they won the bonus point thanks to the heroic efforts of goalkeeper Noelle Rother.

Australia vs Germany 3-3 (SO: 1-2)

Australia came racing out of the blocks and pressed Germany well into their own circle and won a penalty corner inside the first 30 seconds. The drag flick taken by Fitzpatrick was not the strongest, but Germany keeper Rother only managed to palm it downwards and the momentum of the ball saw it sneak inside to give the hosts a perfect start. Germany recovered from the early setback quickly and dominated the rest of the quarter. They managed to get back level as Strauss showed exceptional 3d skills to make her way into the circle and shoot from the left, and while Bartram managed to save the shot, the rebound fell to Pieper who put the ball into the back of the goal with ease.

Australia grew into the game midway through the second quarter as Germany were reeling from the loss of Nike Lorenz who seemed to struggle with a non-contact foot injury. The Hockeyroos snatched the lead back as a powerful hit towards the circle was missed by multiple German defenders and ended up with Brooke Peris at the top of the circle and her swivelling shot thundered past the outstretched palm of Noelle Rother. Grace Young and Rosie Malone were shown green cards for playing the ball after the whistle as Australia played 4 minutes with a player disadvantage, but Germany could not make it count as Australian defence prevented all circle entries.

Germany had a great chance early in the second half as Charlotte Stapenhorst made her way into the circle from the left and her flashing cross was met in front of the goal by Hanna Granitzki, but while her deflection took Bartram out of the equation, it sailed just wide to the right of the goal. Grace Stewart had an identical opportunity midway through the third quarter as she deflected a cross by Malone at the front post, but Rother got her leg to the ball and saved on the goal-line as Germany headed into the final quarter chasing the game.

The Danas had a perfect start to the final quarter as an aerial ball over the top of the Australian defence, found Strauss and Bartram stepped out of the goal to smother any shot attempt by her. But Strauss found Fleschütz who was bursting into the circle and she put the ball in the back of the goal with a perfect shot that just snuck between the right post and a diving Bartram. Australia were back in front halfway through the final quarter as a terrific dribbling move from the right baseline by Brooke Peris allowed her to escape her markers and put the ball into the path of Kershaw who deflected the ball into the goal from point blank range. With less than 4 minutes to go Germany were back level for the third time as Strauss pounced on a bouncing ball in the circle and volleyed the ball on the reverse past Bartram. Neither team could find the winner and the game headed into a shoot-out.

Noelle Rother, who started the day off with an error that led to the Australian goal in the first minute, was outstanding in the shoot-outs, saving twice and forcing two shots wide as Germany took the bonus point with a 2-1 win in the shoot-outs.

Jette Fleschütz was awarded player of the match and said: “It’s good to end the mini-tournament with this result. We went down three times in the game so we are really proud of our ability to come back each time and win the bonus in the shoot-out.”

Updated pool standings

With the end of the mini-tournament in Sydney, there are movements in the FIH Hockey Pro League points table in the women’s competition. Argentina hold on to their top spot with 14 points from their 8 games. Germany now move up to the second spot earning 8 points in the second mini-tournament to take their tally to 13 points. Netherlands are in the third spot on 12 points, but crucially have only played 4 matches so far, winning all of them. Australia now slot in in the 4th position taking 8 points from their opening round of matches of the 2022/23 season. Belgium and China occupy the 5th and 6th positions with 5 and 2 points respectively, with Great Britain in the 9th position. New Zealand and the USA will begin their campaigns later this week.

To see the complete pool standings, click here.

Coming up next

Action now moves from Australia to neighbouring New Zealand, as the hosts will take on USA and China in the upcoming mini-tournament to be played from 18 February to 26 February. New Zealand and USA will both be playing in their first 4 matches of the season, while China will play their second set of matches after playing their first mini-tournament in Australia.

To see the complete schedule, click here.

FIH Pro League – 15 February 2023

Sydney Olympic Hockey Center, Australia (AUS)

Result: Women’s Match 18

Australia 3-3 Germany (SO: 1-2)

Player of the Game: Jette Fleschütz (GER)

Umpires: Aleisha Neumann (AUS), Junko Wagatsuma (JPN), Kelly Hudson (NZL-video)