Australia’s unbeatable Hockeyroos advance into the quarter finals despite Argentina stopping play JUST before they were about to score a goal in play that has been accused of being ‘dirty’ and ‘bad sportsmanship’
Australia’s undefeated Hockeyroos have advanced into the quarter finals but a ‘disgraceful’ tactic by Argentina which has outraged hockey fans nearly ruined their winning streak.
The Hockeyroos stole the win off the Argentinians on Saturday 2-0 but the game wasn’t without controversy.
The match was level at 0-0 in the fourth quarter when the Australians got a breakaway and were setting up for a goal.
They had a clear pass into their attacking goal circle before Argentinian Delfina Merino called for a referral from the umpire, which stopped the play of the game and therefore ruined the Aussies’ chances of putting away their first goal.
In a tactic that’s been described as ‘disappointing’ by commentator and former Hockeyroo Georgie Parker, fans across Australia have lashed out at the Argentinian side for their ‘bad sportsmanship’.
Australia’s undefeated Hockeyroos have advanced into the quarter finals but a ‘disgraceful’ tactic by Argentina which has outraged hockey fans nearly ruined their winning streak (pictured is Hockeyroo Kate Jenner)
Luckily for the Aussies, striker Savannah Fitzpatrick managed to score just minutes later and put the Hockeyroos in the lead.
‘Do you know what? This is a tactical, if anything, referral from Merino,’ Parker said on Channel 7 at the time.
‘She knew that the Australians were going to go down there and have a shot on goal.
‘That is frustrating because Australia know that is because they had a chance down there.
‘That was 300 games of experience and (Merino) knows that. And to be honest it’s a little disappointing to see. I don’t like seeing things like that in our game.’
A similar attitude was seen on Twitter.
‘What sort of s**t was that Argentina? What bad sportsmanship,’ one said.
‘Dirty tactics from Argentina costs us an opportunity to score a goal. Hockeyroos have every right to be p***ed off!!!’ tweeted another.
‘That is perilously close to cheating, Argentina. Australia was clear,’ wrote one.
‘Karma Argentina!!! Play in the spirit of the game!’ said one hockey fan after Fitzpatrick’s goal.
‘Disgraceful Argentina behaviour,’ someone else tweeted.
The outrage was clearly seen by the Hockeyroos in the moments after Morino requested the referral with defender Edwina Bone telling the Argentinian it was a ‘dodgy’ call.
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