Sunday, 10 February 2019:
Veteran goalkeeper Rachel Lynch was the hero yet again as a tiring Hockeyroos downed Germany in a shootout in their FIH Pro League match in Hobart on Sunday.
Lynch repelled three German strikers as Australia prevailed 3-1 in the shootout, after the entertaining match finished 2-2 at fulltime.
The visitors were unlucky not to win in regular time, having had six penalty corners to Australia's two, and dominating possession as the home side faded.
Hanna Granitzki equalised twice from second phase play on penalty corners for Germany, after Sophie Taylor's first international goal gave Australia the lead early on.
Grace Stewart finished off a great move just two minutes after half-time, but Australia's basic skills fell apart as the toll of playing back-to-back games became apparent.
"Getting my first goal is great bit it was a really tiring game," said Taylor.
"It was good to play out the full 60 minutes and then win the shootout."
The Germans, playing their first match in the competition, had multiple shots in the last quarter but either missed the target or found Lynch blocking their path.
"We had many chances throughout the games," lamented captain Janne Muller-Wieland.
"It's a really good tournament and I just want to play again so we can get better."
Their cause was not helped by one of their shootout goals being overturned because the ball crossed the goal line after the eight seconds allowed.
The Pro League table goes by winning percentage not by points. A win is worth three, a draw one and a bonus points goes to the shootout winner.
As such, Australia sits equal second with 67% from four games.
The women's Pro League has a weekly home-and-away format featuring the world's top nine teams.
Australia hosts Great Britain in Perth on Saturday in men's and women's matches, while Germany plays in New Zealand on Friday.
The top four teams play finals in Holland in June.
