Ireland 1-2 Argentina
Argentina had to work hard to see off Ireland in the second encounter between the two sides in the FIH Hockey Pro League in Hobart.
Ireland suffered a 5-0 walloping by the South American side on Tuesday, but Gareth Grundie's charges proved a very different prospect on Friday in Tasmania, and they made the perfect start.
Katie Mullan's aerial to Sarah Torrans in the Argentina circle resulted in two shots and two saves from Mercedes Artola in the early stages, but Torrans did well to recover the loose ball and win a penalty corner.
From the corner, Hannah McLoughlin found Michelle Carey, whose deflection took the ball past Artola and into the back of the net.
Argentina enjoyed the majority of possession in the phase that followed, but Ireland looked disciplined in their press, giving Argentina no space or time to cause any damage.
Sarah Hawkshaw was called into defensive duties in the closing minutes of the first quarter to make a superb tackle and clear her lines.
Argentina, however, found their equaliser in the final minute of the first quarter, Las Leonas winning the ball in their own half and breaking. They worked the ball to Maria Granatto, who found the back of the net on her reverse stick.
The first opportunity of note in the second quarter came Ireland’s way as Ellen Curran got a touch on a long ball into the Argentina circle to win a penalty corner.
Ireland came within inches of getting their second from the corner as Roisin Upton delivered a ball to Hawkshaw, running at the back post, but her deflection went just wide.
Ireland weather a late period of pressure from Argentina, defending their circle well, but the world number threes eventually ended the quarter with a penalty corner having drawn a foul in the Irish circle.
The corner broke down but Argentina worked the ball back into the circle and got on effort at goal which Holly Micklem saved well to keep the teams level at the half-time break.
Argentina made a more intense start to that second half than they did the first, but both sides turned the ball over under pressure from their opposite numbers.
Argentina drew another foul in the Ireland circle to win their second penalty corner of the match, which they converted to take the lead.
Argentina fired two more warning shots across the bow, with Julieta Jankunas firing over the bar and almost connecting with a team-mate in the circle a few minutes later for Argentina’s third, but Ireland survived to keep it a one-score game.
Argentina made a good start to the final quarter, winning a penalty corner with their first possession. Ireland defended the effort well, with Micklem making a crucial save and McLoughlin winning the contest for the free ball to win a free hit.
Ireland, though, showed no sign of giving up, taking every opportunity that came their way to test the Argentine defence.
Ireland enjoyed some good passages inside the Argentine half, the best of which ending in a shot for Hawkshaw from a tight angle which she couldn't quite make a clean connection on.
With two minutes remaining, Argentina were given a yellow card for repeated breakdowns of play, giving Ireland a player advantage for the time remaining.
Ireland withdrew Mickelm to apply further pressure in the dying embers, but Argentina defended their lead to take the three points.
Ireland next face Australia on Sunday.
