Defending champions Australia beat Argentina 4-2 in Utrecht yesterday to qualify for tomorrow's women's hockey World Cup final against the Netherlands.

Goals by Alyson Annan and Bianca Langham gave the "Hockeyroos" a solid, two-goal lead at half-time, but the "Pumitas" captain Karina Massotta gave her side hope a minute after the restart. However, Annan scored again in the 51st minute and Katrina Powell added another five minutes later. Argentina's consolation effort came from the Americanborn Sofia Agnes MacKenzie.

In the other semi-final, Carole Thate and Dillianne van den Boogaard each scored twice as the Netherlands crushed arch rivals Germany 6-1.

Ireland's Ray O'Connor is short-listed to umpire the men's final on Monday.