The men were back in action for the first time this year, as Australia, Argentina, and Spain battled it out in Australia.
Australia
Australia went 1-3 in this set of matches.
In the first game of the series, Australia lost a 2-2 match in shootouts to Argentina. Jeremy Hayward showed up strong for the Kookaburras, scoring both goals off penalty corners. He led the team in shots with five and in tackles with three. Eddie Ockenden and Lachlan Sharp both recorded assists in the match. In goal, John Durst tallied a total of six saves. During the shootouts, Tom Craig and Craig Marais both were able to convert, but the goalkeeper was only able to stop one of the five attempts.
Australia played again the next day and suffered a 2-4 loss against Spain. They allowed five corners to be called against them in the first quarter of the match. In the 20th minute of the match, Blake Govers was able to lessen the goal differential down to 1-2, but it was quickly brought to 1-3. In the third quarter, Craig Marais brought the differential down to 2-3, but it was not enough. Dyrst made a total of eight saves in goal for the Kookaburras.
Australia was able to bounce back in their second meeting with Argentina, to secure a 3-0 win. Tim Brand started the scoring early, in the first minute of the match. Tim Craig then doubled the lead in the first few minutes of the second half. Nathan Ephramus finished the scoring for the Kookaburras off a corner in the 46th minute. Blake Govers recorded the most shots for Australis with three and circle entries with five.
In their last match of the set, Australia lost to Spain, 1-3. They did not score until very late into the match when Blake Givers scored on a stroke earned by Tim Howard. Govers took a total of six shots in the match. Australia took a total of twelve shots during the match, so Govers recorded half of the total.
Argentina
Argentina split the series with an even 2-2 record.
Their first match came against Australia and resulted in a 2-2 win in shootouts. While Australia kept a 2-0 lead in the first half of the match, two fourth-quarter goals kept the team alive. Matias Rey scored the first goal off a penalty corner, and Tobia Martins scored the game-tier. In goal, Emiliano Bosso made a total of four saves in regulation. During shootouts, Agustn Bugallo, Martin Ferreiro, Malco Casella, and Lucas Toscani all converted on their attempts. The goalkeeper stopped two of the four attempts from Australia.
Argentina picked up their first loss of the series on March 2, against Spain. Argentina took the early lead in the game, with Casella scoring off a corner in the first, and Ferreiro scoring a goal early in the second. After Spain had taken the lead, Ferreiro evened the game in the fourth, before Spain scored again for the win. In goal, Bosso made four saves for Argentina.
Argentina then suffered a hard 0-3 loss against Australia. They started the game with some offensive energy with two corners, but quickly lost it, not earning another until the 51st minute. They earned four cards against them, with three greens and one yellow. Maico Casella and Lautaro Ferroro led the team in shots with one apiece. In goal, Nehuen Hernando recorded five saves.
Argentina won their final match of the series, in a 1-0 game against Spain. Their goal came late in the match when Martin Ferreiro earned a penalty stroke, and Maico Casella was able to score. Otherwise, their scoring opportunities were minimal, with two corners and six shots. Nehuen Hernando recorded two saves in the shutout.
Spain
Spain almost had a clean sweep in the series but ended with a 3-1 record.
Spain took home a 4-2 win against Australia in the first game of the series. They started the match off with five corners before Marc Reyne was able to convert the first goal of the match. In the second quarter, Reyne scored again, and Jose Basterra added one for the 3-2 lead. Marc Miralles finished up the scoring of Spain off a corner. Despite not scoring. Pau Cunill led the team in shots with four. Ignacia Rodriguez also recorded two assists in the match.
Adding to their winning record, Spain won their second match against Argentina, 4-3. After an early win from Argentina, Bruno Font and Reyne scored to even the score before halftime. Reyne then added another for the lead, and Marc Miralles added one in for the win. Rodriguez, once again, had a great statistical game with three tackles and four interceptions. Marc Vizcaino also recorded five tackles in the match.
Spain won their third in a row, with a 3-1 game against Australia. Marc Escude scored the first goal for Spain in the first quarter. In the fourth quarter, Pere Amat and Alvaro Iglesias scored within a minute of each other. The three goals were the only three shots taken during the match by Spain. In goal. Adrian Rafi recorded three saves and Luis Calzado recorded five.
Spain lost their final match of the series, in a 0-1 loss to Argentina. They took two corners and three shots during the match. Their defense had a decent game recording twenty-six tackles and eleven blocks. Adrian Rafi recorded three saves for Spain.