Australia's Hockeyroos advance into the quarter finals in VERY controversial match against Argentina - as fans accuse the losing team of 'disgraceful' tactics

Australia's undefeated Hockeyroos have advanced into the quarter finals but a 'disgraceful' tactic by Argentina nearly ruined their winning streak.

The Hockeyroos stole the win off the Argentinians on Saturday for their final round game at the Tokyo Olympics 2-0 but the match wasn't without controversy.

The score was level at 0-0 in the fourth quarter when the Australians got a breakaway and were setting up for a shot on goal following a failed penalty corner for Argentina.

They had a clear pass into their attacking goal circle before Argentinian Delfina Merino called for a referral from the umpire - stopping the play of the game and therefore ruining the Aussies' chances of putting away their first goal.

Merino called for the referral to check if an Australian defender had broken the line during their penalty corner but commentators said the move was purely a tactic to stop the counter attack. 

In a move that's been described as 'disappointing' by commentator and former Hockeyroo Georgie Parker, fans across Australia have since lashed out at the Argentinian side for their 'bad sportsmanship'.

Australia's undefeated Hockeyroos have advanced into the quarter finals but a 'disgraceful' tactic by Argentina which has outraged hockey fans nearly ruined their winning streak (pictured is Hockeyroo Kate Jenner)

Luckily for the Aussies, striker Savannah Fitzpatrick managed to score just minutes later and put the Hockeyroos in the lead.  

'Do you know what? This is a tactical, if anything, referral from Merino,' Parker said on Channel 7 at the time.

'She knew that the Australians were going to go down there and have a shot on goal. 

'That is frustrating because Australia know that is because they had a chance down there.

'That was 300 games of experience and knows that. And to be honest it's a little disappointing to see. I don't like seeing things like that in our game.' 

Merino had called for the referral to question whether an Australian defender had broken early during a penalty corner - something the commentators said she wouldn't have been able to see.

Hockey fans erupted on Twitter with one labelling Argentina's referral 'disgraceful'

Another said the behaviour of the Argentinian side was 'close to cheating'

Aussie fans erupted while watching the Hockeyroos take on Argentina

Twitter also erupted with many fans blasting the Argentinian side. 

'What sort of s**t was that Argentina? What bad sportsmanship,' one said.

'Dirty tactics from Argentina costs us an opportunity to score a goal. Hockeyroos have every right to be p***ed off!!!' Tweeted another.

'That is perilously close to cheating, Argentina. Australia was clear,' wrote one.

'Karma Argentina!!! Play in the spirit of the game!' said one hockey fan after Fitzpatrick's goal.

'Disgraceful Argentina behaviour,' someone else tweeted.

Both Australia and Argentina had already done enough to secure spots in the quarter finals - meaning they could face off again (pictured Emily Chalker and Savannah Fitzpatrick celebrate the team's second goal)

The outrage was clearly seen among the Hockeyroos in the moments after Merino requested the referral with players shouting out in disagreement.

Australian defender Edwina Bone could be seen telling Merino it was a 'dodgy' call. 

Both teams had already done enough to secure spots in the quarter finals - meaning they could face off again.

Argentina took a risk with their referral as both sides are only allowed one per game.

It wasn't long after Fitzpatrick's reverse stick goal that teammate Emily Chalker put away the team's second.

The Hockeyroos will now play either India or Ireland in the quarter finals on Monday while Argentina will come up against Germany or the Netherlands. 

The winners will then progress to the semis. 

Argentina's Victoria Sauze Valdez is seen taking on Australia's Mariah Williams during their tense match on Saturday