Kookaburras, Hockeyroos suffer heart-wrenching losses

The Kookaburras have suffered an agonising penalty shootout loss in the latest instalment of their rivalry with Belgium.

With the sun blazing and temperatures reaching 36 degrees, the Australian men's team ignored the humid conditions to play out an exciting 2-2 draw against the world No.2s, before losing the shootout 4-3.

Both sides didn't give an inch in pursuit of victory in a gripping encounter marked by classy goalkeeping and fast and attacking hockey arising in countless turnovers.

Fresh off a 2-0 win over hosts Argentina 24 hours earlier, the Kookaburras carried that momentum into the match and within three minutes had their first chance for an early lead when rewarded with a penalty stroke as Cooper Burns attempted to get past player-of-the-match and goalkeeper Loic van Doren.

But Belgium counteracted and it took a goalkeeping masterclass from Jed Snowden to keep the match scoreless, the Victorian making at least three crucial saves.

As the sides continued their high-tempo affair, Liam Henderson soon made the Europeans pay with a brilliant run and a sensational through ball to Cam Geddes, who converted in just his second international.

A goal in arrears, Belgium went looking for an equaliser but were met with some stubborn resistance with Tim Brand's pace proving pivotal at the penalty corner.

Australia looked to add to their advantage but van Doren stood tall with back-to-back saves.

It kept the Belgians in the match until Tom Boon stepped up, the FIH Pro League's top goalscorer scoring twice - the first with a brilliant field goal and the other for his 13th goal of the season off a penalty corner.

Australia answered straight back, earning a penalty corner a minute later before Jack Welch's flick sent the match to a shootout.

"It was an incredibly close game; we had some really close opportunities, and they also had some really good opportunities, and there were times that both teams had good momentum," Tim Howard said on 7plus.

"Their goalkeeper had a great game. It was a really tight game and it was awesome to go to a shootout."

For the Hockeyroos, it was a case of de ja vu as they desperately chased an equaliser in the final minutes of the match against Belgium, just like they did 24 hours earlier against Argentina.

But, like the day before, they were forced to settle for a 2-1 loss.

Lining up with an average appearances age of 31 compared to Belgium's 98, it was always going to be tough.

The world No.3s showcased their world ranking, holding possession and dominating circle entries and shots on goal for the first three-quarters of the match.

Hockeyroos goalkeeper Zoe Newman thwarted the Belgians before Ambre Ballenghein scored twice to secure the win.

NSW's Mariah Williams got the consolation goal for the Hockeyroos, the most-capped Hockeyroo in the touring party delivering a powerful shot past the keeper into the back of the net.

The Hockeyroos found a renewed energy as they sought an equaliser in the final stages of the match, but Belgium held strong.

"We need to work on our basics as a team and really attack as a unit and sustain that attacking pressure in the circle," Hattie Shand said on 7plus post-match.

"But overall, it was a good fight, and we got close."

The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos have a day off in Santiago del Estero before taking on hosts Argentina on Monday (11.30am AEDT)