Netherlands stun champions Argentina

AMSTERDAM: Champions Trophy holders Argentina face a battle to retain their title after slipping to a 2-1 defeat against the Netherlands on Thursday in the first match in the semi-final group phase.

The Dutch took the lead in the 21st minute when Maartje Paumen converted from a penalty corner.

Delfina Merino levelled for Argentina seven minutes later before Paumen made it two goals from seven corners, striking the winner in the 68th minute.

Even if they beat New Zealand in their final pool game on Saturday, the Argentineans will fail to qualify for the final if the match between the Netherlands and South Korea ends in a draw.

The other semifinal pool game produced an exciting goalfest as South Korea defeated New Zealand 5-3.

Kim Jong-hee and Hong Yoo-jin had Korea two goals ahead early in the first half. But Katie Glynn and Charlotte Harrison replied for New Zealand within two minutes of each other before the break to make it 2-2.

Kim Jong-eun put Korea ahead at 3-2 early in the second half but the Black Sticks again came back on level terms with Carthryn Finlayson tippingd in a drive by Anita Punt a minute later.

However, Kim Jong-hee had the final say, completing her hat trick with two more goals for Korea as the Kiwi defence collapsed.

The win took Korea to the top of the semifinal pool with 4 points, equal with Netherlands.

In the other pool for the teams ranked 5th to 8th, Australia and China drew 2-2 in a lacklustre match while England beat Germany 1-0.

Casey Eastham and Jodie Schulz had Australia 2-0 up in the first half. Li Hongxia pulled one back for China before the break with Gao Lihua levelling in the 54th.

The draw keeps Australia at the top of the pool.

England owed their win to Alex Danson's second half field goal with the Germans failing to convert five penalty corner chances.

Friday sees action only in the five-eight classification pool as China meet Germany and England play Australia.