Argentina, NED, UK, Germany in Champions Trophy semi-finals

ROSARIO, Argentina: The Netherlands, Argentina, Great Britain and Germany booked their spots in the last four of the Champions Trophy in Rosario on Thursday.

The Netherlands, intent on retaining their crown from a year ago in Amsterdam, signalled their title credentials with a commanding 3-0 victory over New Zealand.

The Dutch will face hosts Argentina in the semi-finals after the Argentines scored a late goal to knock off China 3-2 in a hardfought battle at the Estadio Mundialista.

Great Britain, meanwhile, cruised to a comfortable 4-1 win over South Korea after three goals in a span of five minutes gave them an almost unassailable lead.

Seonok Lee pulled a goal back for the Koreans, but Helen Richardson restored the three-goal advantage as Team GB set-up a last four meeting with Germany.

First-half strikes from Nina Hasselmann, Marie Maevers and Celine Wilde put the Germans 3-0 up at the interval against Japan, and although a spirited fightback enabled the Japanese to reduce the deficit, Germany eventually prevailed 3-2.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday with the final slated to take place on Sunday. (AFP)