Hungary opened the Sydney preparation tournament with a dramatic victory over hosts Australia, prevailing after an extraordinary penalty shootout following a 13-13 draw in regular time.
The shootout lasted 20 rounds and 40 attempts before Australia’s final effort was ruled out for exceeding the permitted time, securing a memorable 17-16 shootout victory for Hungary.
Hungary produced an impressive performance despite only recently arriving in Australia and dealing with the effects of acclimatisation. The hosts, meanwhile, had already been training alongside the United States and entered the contest with considerably more preparation behind them.
Australia opened the scoring through Danijela Jackovich, but Hungary quickly responded through Panna Tiba and Rita Keszthelyi. The appearance was Keszthelyi’s 381st for the national team, moving her outright to the top of Hungary’s all-time appearance rankings.
Neither side could establish control during an entertaining opening quarter, with Kata Hajdú scoring twice and Vanda Vályi also finding the net as the teams finished the period level at 5-5.
Hungary then took control during the second quarter. Kamilla Faragó and Hajdú converted player advantages before Krisztina Garda scored from the penalty line, completing a 3-0 period and giving Hungary an 8-5 halftime lead.
Vályi extended the advantage to four early in the third quarter, but Australia fought back through left-hander Alice Williams. Hungary continued to find answers through Vályi and Nóra Sümegi, although the hosts reduced the deficit to 11-9 before the final period.
Tiba restored Hungary’s two-goal cushion after Australia had pulled within one, but the hosts scored twice in 35 seconds to level the contest at 12-12.
Garda put Hungary back in front with 1:40 remaining, only for Williams to equalise once again and force the match into a penalty shootout.
What followed was an extraordinary battle from five metres. Both teams continued scoring deep into sudden death before Australia’s 40th attempt was disallowed after the shooter waited too long following the referee’s whistle.
“I really liked what I saw from the girls today,” Hungary coach Alexander Cseh said.
“They did everything we asked of them. The defensive dynamics were good, as were the tactical elements we had practised.
“We led from the second quarter onwards, but we became a little tired towards the end because of the travelling, which allowed them to equalise.
“Regardless of that, we played a really good match against an Australian team that had been training with the Americans in recent days, so that makes this result even more valuable.
“It is also a special pleasure to win such a memorable penalty shootout. It certainly makes the journey back to the hotel feel even better.”
Women’s Preparation Tournament – Sydney
Australia 13-13 Hungary
(5-5, 0-3, 4-3, 4-2)
Penalty shootout: 16-17
Hungary scorers: Vályi 3, Hajdú 3, Tiba 3, Garda 2, Keszthelyi 1, Sümegi 1, Faragó 1.
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