Match reports from GB's Pro League games in Argentina

Argentina 2
Domene (3' PC), Toscani (56' FG)
Domene PS saved (42')

Great Britain 2
Roper (11' PC), Sanford (27' PC)

Great Britain win bonus point via shootout (4-2)

Great Britain's men ended their first round of FIH Pro League games with another very positive outcome away to Argentina to take them top of the table at the end of the year.

Paul Revington's side came from behind to take a half time lead via a Phil Roper strike and Liam Sanford's first ever Great Britain goal, and while Ollie Payne brilliantly saved a penalty stroke, Argentina got a late leveller through Lucas Toscani.

Britain then took charge of the shootout with Payne again in good form, and Liam Ansell scored the winning attempt after brilliant conversions from Zach Wallace and Phil Roper. And so Britain ended four games against Argentina and the Netherlands unbeaten, taking one victory and drawing three matches, then winning all three shootouts for nine points from a possible twelve.

With Argentina's players holding up Maradona and Messi football shirts during their national anthem, there was no doubt that the hosts were full of national pride, and like in the women's match earlier in the evening they used that passion to their advantage and took an early lead. Tomas Domene whipped home a super penalty corner with three minutes gone, giving Ollie Payne no chance due to sheer power.

Revington's men were not swayed by going behind though, and an excellent Tom Sorsby interception very nearly created a chance for Sam Ward as Britain pressed. The visitors were in the ascendancy and Phil Roper got a deserved equaliser when he too sent down a ripper of a corner on eleven minutes.

At the start of the second period a piece of brilliance from Martin Ferreiro almost created a chance, and then Domene hit another powerful corner but Payne was equal to it. Brendan Creed's bravery in defence saw him take a blow that required a few minutes of treatment but he was well enough to walk to the sidelines and returned with a bandage across his head.

The visitors again found some impetus, and a very nicely worked corner saw Ward supply Liam Sanford for his first Great Britain goal via a lovely deflection just before half time.

With 35 gone Zach Wallace was close to another goal but his effort was ruled just outside the D, possibly via a backstick as well.

Britain's men's goalkeepers have both played very well in this mini-tournament and that form continued as Ollie Payne saved a Domene penalty stroke across to his right-hand side just before the end of the third quarter to brillantly preserve his side's lead.

As the two sets of players gave their all, both teams had to deal with five-minute yellow cards, exemplifying the determination on show. Unfortunately in the period that Argentina had a man advantage they found an equaliser, Lucas Toscani smacking home with four minutes to go.

And so a shootout ensued, with Wallace and Roper scoring outstanding efforts for Britain, while Payne also saved well on two occasions. It was left to Liam Ansell to turn home the winner and cap what has been a great week's work for Britain's men in Santiago del Estero.

James Albery said afterwards, "It was a tough game, I don't think any of us would've predicted coming here and playing Argentina just after their men won the World Cup! So it was an amazing atmosphere, it was a dogged performance at times, physical and so we're happy to get the win."

Coach Revington added, "The tournament has been fantastic, we didn't know Santiago del Estero beforehand but we've really enjoyed it. The competition has been tough, the group has played some good hockey both on and off the ball. 

"Now it's time for the home nations England and Wales to compete in the World Cup, the teams leave in early January and it's on the back of a good Pro League period."

Argentina 1
Jankunas (2' FG)

Great Britain 0

Britain's women ended their FIH Pro League mini-tournament in Argentina with the narrowest of defeats away from home. Having gone behind in the second minute and on the back of a heavy defeat 48 hours before, Britain will certainly be happier with their performance, while naturally disappointed with the outcome.

In a vibrant stadium buoyed by the home nation's men's football world cup victory a few hours before, Las Leonas took full advantage of the atmosphere and were 1-0 up within 90 seconds thanks to Julieta Jankunas. Maddie Hinch then palmed away an Argentine corner, while Hannah Martin looked set to get a shot on goal after six minutes but was just crowded out. 

Britain began to find a foothold as the first quarter came to an end, with Grace Balsdon seeing a corner saved before Izzy Petter had a decent chance, albeit coming to her quickly on the rebound. At the first interval, Britain felt a little more positive and upbeat about their display, with Hollie Pearne-Webb marshalling the defence on her 100th Britain appearance.

The second quarter was an even affair, and after going behind early on Britain were very happy to play at a more steady pace. And it took until the 41st minute for the next significant shot on goal; Maddie Hinch saving low after a deflection just in front of her. Petter then flashed a shot at goal for Britain just before the break but it was off target.

With ten minutes to go Jankunas had a good sight of goal and it was blocked by Sarah Jones' foot; Argentina then very close to a second as Hinch used her chest to make the save, with the rebound going just past the upright. Maria Granatto was leading the Argentinian charge, and forced a super save from Hinch with less than three minutes to go.

Inside the last minute Britain almost fashioned an equaliser after Sophie Hamilton did brilliantly to nick possession, and after linking up with Martin the angle just closed up on her and she couldn't get a clean shot away or find a teammate. So while the result was of course disappointing, David Ralph's team will have felt better about the performance and their reaction to going behind so early.

Captain Pearne-Webb said, "Tonight was a lot better in terms of us showing up, the squad has great potential but we've not played our best hockey over here. So we were a lot better today but we are right at the beginning of our journey as a young squad."

Milestone: Hollie Pearne-Webb 100 Great Britain caps

Great Britain 1
Bandurak (13' PC)

Netherlands 1
T Brinkman (42' FG)

Making his debut in a Great Britain shirt; James Mazarelo pulled off a very smart save in the GB goal with a left-handed stop to repel a Dutch penalty corner just after the ten minute mark.

A moment later there was another hugely positive milestone as Nick Bandurak got his first goal in a Great Britain shirt, rocketing home a penalty corner. There was almost a second at the end of the quarter as Stuart Rushmere was denied and then Bandurak's follow-up hit a British foot.

The second quarter was played at a high tempo, and Mazarelo made two good saves from corners while Pirmin Blaak's gloves were stung by a rasper from Liam Ansell on the reverse. Thierry Brinkman was then inches away from an equaliser but his deflection went wide.

The third period saw an increased level of Dutch pressure, and they earned an equaliser on 42 as Thierry Brinkman cut inside expertly and smacked home for one apiece.

Neither side was able to find another goal in the last 15, so it was a point apiece and then a further bonus point up for grabs in the shootout. Again Mazarelo was excellent for Britain, proving his quality on his debut as Netherlands failed to score any of their four attempts. With James Albery and then Liam Ansell scoring, it was Paul Revington's Britain who took the bonus point and made it seven from a possible nine points in this mini-tournament with one game to go on Sunday.

GB debut: James Mazarelo

Netherlands 6
Veen (10', 52' FGs), Albers (17' FG), Sanders (25' PC), Barentsen (46' FG), Welten (54' FG)

Great Britain 0

Great Britain were beaten heavily by the Netherlands in Argentina as the Olympic, World and European Champions hit six on a tough night for our women at the start of the new GB cycle.

It was actually Britain who had the first real chance of the game, and in her second appearance Scotland's Fiona Burnet had a good sight of goal but dragged wide at the near post with the 'keeper out of position. A few moments later Sabbie Heesh had to make a good save in the British goal as Yibbi Jansen closed in.

It only took a moment more for the Dutch to take the lead though; Marijn Veen's goal allowed to stand even though the umpire referred it, most likely for use of the back stick. From that moment on Paul van Ass' side were in control of proceedings.

Just before the end of the first quarter Heesh made another smart save after a Dutch break down the left, then was again called into action soon after the restart to deny the advancing Freeke Moes.

But there was nothing she could do after a lovely combination between Pien Dicke and Felice Albers inside the D; the latter smacking home off the upright two minutes into the second quarter. Flora Peel then caused a bit of concern for the Dutch defence as her pass into the D was deflected, only for 'keeper Josine Koning to boot clear.

After 25 it was three; Pien Sanders with a well-executed touch from a corner to put her side out of sight. Sophie Hamilton was not about to give up the cause though and danced into the D expertly, only to be repelled by Koning's left foot just before the interval. 3-0 down at half time against a Dutch side who have only lost ten matches since 2013 was a big ask to say the least.

Britain steadied in the third quarter and could have scored on a couple of occasions. First it was the lively Hamilton who almost found the net, and then Izzy Petter was just unable to get what would surely have been a decisive touch on Amy Costello's slapped cross into the D.

The Dutch made it four though within a minute of the restart; described by TV commentators as 'absolutely magnificent' and it was impossible to disagree. Marente Barentsen turned it home but it was a team goal of the highest order as a series of passes and interchanges down the right carved out the chance.

Britain looked to respond and again it was Hamilton who was causing problems - but the Dutch were frankly irrepressable and Veen made it 5-0 with nine remaining after another very tidy move. Lidewij Welten got in on the act as an understandably jaded British side could not stem the tide.

Full credit to the Dutch on the night, they were fantastic throughout. Now David Ralph's Britain side go again on Sunday night against Argentina, looking to end this mini-tournament on a more positive note.

Milestones: Giselle Ansley 200 combined GB & ENG appearances; Grace Balsdon 50 GB appearances

Argentina 1
Casella (3' PC)

Great Britain 1
Waller (5' FG)

Great Britain win bonus point via shootout

Britain's men took two points from a pulsating encounter in Santiago del Estero.

A draw and a bonus point from the shootout was the least Paul Revington's side deserved in a blood-and-thunder encounter.

With Britain coming into the game on the back of a super 3-0 win over the Netherlands, this game exploded into life as Maico Casella opened the scoring with a third minute penalty corner, only for Jack Waller to score with a super finish just two minutes later.

Phil Roper thought he had given Britain soon afterwards with a brilliant finish, and it was not immediately clear why the goal was disallowed.

Sam Ward and Argentina's Agustin Bugallo were both shown yellow cards as the game continued to be a high tempo affair, and it was a surprise the game finished at 1-1. Britain thought they should have had a penalty corner in the final minute but the umpires did not agree with our referral that the ball was deliberately played off behind the back line.

So it was one point apiece for the draw, with an extra point available in a shootout. Argentina went one up, and both sides then thought they'd scored, only for it to be deemed outside the eight seconds allowed. Phil Roper scored beautifully, and with James Albery given the chance to win the shootout, he took the chance expertly.

And so Britain earned another very positive result to go with Tuesday's win over the Dutch. They go again against their European opponents at 00:30am in the early hours of Saturday morning.

GB Debut - Stuart Rushmere

Great Britain 0

Argentina 3
Gorzelany (31' PC), Granatto (33' FG), Campoy (39' FG)

Great Britain's women were overcome by an Argentinian side who took charge of the game in a third quarter blitz in Santiago del Estero.

The game was goalless at half time, with Argentina spurning the best opportunity as Agustina Gorzelany fired a penalty stroke just wide of Maddie Hinch's left hand post.

Gorzelany earned redemption a minute into the second half though, finding the net at a penalty corner. Moments later Maria Granatto scored with a deft finish past Hinch, with Argentina breaking forward after pinching possession in British territory.

Still in an end-to-end third corner, Britain had a couple of half-decent sights of goal including a penalty corner, but Argentina again stole the ball deep into our half and Maria Campoy fired home.

Although Britain looked for a foothold in the game in the final 15 minutes, they were unable to fashion a goal from their attacking play.

David Ralph's side will next face the Netherlands on Friday 16 December at 10pm UK time, live on BT Sport.

GB debuts - Flora Peel, Martha Taylor

Great Britain 3
Wallace (28' 39' FGs) Roper (30' FG)

Netherlands 0

Great Britain men faced The Netherlands in their opening FIH Pro League match with an exciting battle for points in the new campaign.

Within 5 minutes the first shot at goal was from The Netherlands, but it was easily saved by Ollie Payne’s left hand. A goalless first quarter had both teams fired up and ready to hit the second.

After an intense 25 minutes GB had their first real chance on goal, the ball was well worked into the circle and Will Calnan gets a shot off from a tight angle on the right.

Less than a minute later GB win a penalty corner and Nick Bandurak drags low to the right, but goalkeeper Pirim Blaak sees it early and saves comfortably.

A quickly taken free hit by GB after Tom Sorsby is fouled in the middle of the pitch, sees Zach Wallace run straight at goal taking a reverse stick strike as soon as the ball enters the circle, putting one past Pirmin Blaak making it 1-0 to GB.

In the 30th minute, just before the half time hooter, Phil Roper and Rupert Shipperley work in sync to extend GB’s lead into the second half

GB’s Zach Wallace was awarded a penalty stroke in the 39th minute after the ball struck a player’s foot on the goal line and secured a 3-0 win for GB. Zach’s efforts awarding him player of the match.

GB debuts - Bandurak, Park

Great Britain 1
Petter (12' FG)

Netherlands 2
Moes (4' FG), Jansen (18' FG)

Great Britain Women were the first to start their FIH Pro League campaign with a tough match against World Champions The Netherlands. 

Both teams started strong with the Dutch receiving a penalty corner just 30 seconds in. A fantastic block from GB’s Grace Balsdon prevented them from scoring, but, it wasn't long before Netherlands Freeke Moes scored the opener with a fierce reverse stick strike after an initial save from Sabbie Heesh, putting the Dutch side in the lead.

GB’s Izzy Petter answered back just 4 minutes later taking the teams into an even 2nd quarter.  Sophie Hamilton’s shot at the top of the circle is miss-hit, Izzy Petter gets a stick on it to deflect the ball past Dutch goalkeeper Josine Koning.

The 2nd quarter saw GB goalie Maddie Hinch take to the field but an early penalty corner led to Jibbi Jansen putting one past her, taking the Dutch side into a 2-1 lead.

27 minutes in and a 3^rd penalty corner for the Netherlands.  Hinch saves the drag flick which was high left again, and the ball breaks across goal to a Dutch player. Hinch then pulls off an amazing dive to save a shot in what looked like an open goal.

The 45th minute saw GB win their first penalty corner of the match. Grace Balsdon fires a drag flick at Josine Koning who saves it. Sarah Robertson follows up with a rebound shot but Koning was there again. 

GB didn't give up and fought tirelessly with end-to-end hockey, but the women couldn't quite equalise on the night.

GB debuts - Burnet, Eadie 

Milestones – Amy Costello 100 combined GB and Scotland Caps, Fiona Crackles 50 combined GB and England Caps