Hockeyroos beat Germany in thrilling finale ahead of crucial World Cup Qualifiers

With qualification for the 2026 FIH World Cup looming at the Oceania Cup in September, the Hockeyroos have produced a thrilling 4-3 come-from-behind win over Germany to end their FIH Pro League season on a high.

The Hockeyroos rallied just 24 hours after a disappointing 0-4 loss to the hosts in Berlin, to turn the tables with a vastly improved performance, overturning a 1-3 halftime deficit in the sweltering Berlin heat.

A clinical 15-minute burst in the second half saw the Hockeyroos score three unanswered goals and seal a memorable victory in their final international match before September’s World Cup qualifying showdown against New Zealand in Darwin.

"What a way to finish this Pro League season! It's been an up-and-down campaign over here in Europe," Player of the Match Greta Hayes told 7plus.

"We definitely came into half time on the back foot, but we took the learnings from yesterday, came out in the second half and really stepped up. We stepped up with our connections, we stepped up our intensity, and we got the job done. It's great to finish on a high."

The Hockeyroos came out with more intent than they had the day prior, but they couldn't halt Germany getting off to an early lead, as home hero Sara Strauss found the net inside the opening three minutes for the second match in a row.

Despite holding more possession and creating chances, Australia were punished twice more within the space of a minute in the second quarter. First through a powerful field goal, and then through a penalty corner conversion, as Germany surged to a 3-0 lead.

The Hockeyroos clawed one back just before halftime, with WA's Courtney Schonell getting the rebound on a powerful Mariah Williams strike to kickstart the comeback.

The second half belonged to Australia, as Greta Hayes ignited a 15-minute blitz, closing the gap to one with a composed finish after excellent work from captain Grace Stewart, who moments later levelled the match herself by diving onto a ball at the top of the circle after a fine run.

With momentum surging and the clock ticking down in the third quarter, Amy Lawton took a chance, shooting a perfect high ball into the circle that Lexie Pickering volleyed home with 30 seconds left on the clock, handing Australia the lead for the first time against Germany.

Germany threw everything at the Hockeyroos in the final quarter, even pulling their goalkeeper in the last minute, but Australia’s defence held firm, denying any circle entries and seeing out a well-deserved victory.
            
"It was an incredible third quarter for us, and I think it was the momentum we were looking for in the first half," Courtney Schonell said post-match.

"In the halftime break, we really just focused on one thing with the ball and one thing without the ball, and we stuck to it.

"We really wanted to be ruthless, we wanted to be determined, we wanted to show up as a team, and I think we brought that better than yesterday."

The Hockeyroos' full focus is now on 2026 FIH World Cup qualification at the Oceania Cup in Darwin from 4 - 7 September. 

They'll face New Zealand in a three-match series in the Northern Territory, in a bid to secure their place at the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium next year.

"This win was a good way to end such a big tournament for us. The Pro League has tested us and challenged us in so many ways, but we've definitely taken away a lot of learnings and we're going to go home and focus on those things leading into the Oceania Cup," Courtney added.

"Our fitness is definitely one thing that we can continue to get better at. The Black Sticks are really competitive, really physical, and really fast. We'll clean up our way of play and our structure, especially without ball."

All Hockeyroos and Kookaburras matches, at home and abroad, are broadcast live and free on 7plus.

Hockeyroos v Germany
Hockeyroos: 4 (Courtney Schonell 29" (FG), Greta Hayes 33" (FG), Grace Stewart 43" (FG), Lexie Pickering 45")
Germany: 3 (Sara Strauss 3" (FG), Ines Wanner 27" (FG), Lisa Nolte 27" (PC))
Ernst Reuter Sportfeld, Germany

Hockeyroos: 1. Claire Colwill (c), 3. Morgan Mathison, 4. Amy Lawton, 5. Grace Young, 7. Aleisha Power (gk), 11. Alice Arnott, 12. Greta Hayes, 13. Hattie Shand, 15. Kaitlin Nobbs, 16. Courtney Schonell, 17. Lucy Sharman, 18. Alana Kavanagh, 20. Karri Somerville, 22. Tatum Stewart, 24. Mariah Williams, 25. Zoe Newman (gk), 26. Lexie Pickering, 30. Grace Stewart (c)

Hockeyroos Oceania Cup / 2026 World Cup Qualifier Schedule - Darwin, Northern Territory
*All times are in ACST

Thursday, 4 September
8.00pm - Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks women

Saturday, 6 September 
2.00pm - Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks women

Sunday, 7 September
2.00pm - Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks women