Netherlands

Rosario, Argentina - Olympic champions Germany and the Netherlands appear set to reach the Champions Trophy women's field hockey championship final after Argentina failed to beat the Dutch on Thursday.

Argentina were held 0-0 while Germany drew 2-2 with New Zealand and a draw between the Netherlands and Germany in their final round-robin match here on Saturday will ensure they contest Sunday's final.

World champions Argentina can qualify on goal difference for Sunday's final if they beat China in their last league game and Germany or the Netherlands lose.

Argentina did most of the attacking but rarely got through the Dutch defence and failed to put away their chances when they did.

Dutch goalkeeper Eveline De Haan kept out Cecilia Rognoni when she had a clear chance in the 25th minute.

And in the second half, Ines Arrondo failed to put away a short corner and Soledad Garcia missed another opening.

Meredith Orr put the Kiwis ahead on 31 minutes but Natasha Keller levelled for Germany a minute after the break and Tina Schutze grabbed the equaliser after Lizzie Igasan had again put New Zealand in front.

Australia, the 2003 champions who have brought a young side here, scored their first win when Hope Brown pounced on a defensive blunder in the second minute to give the Hockeyroos a 1-0 win over Olympic bronze medallists China. - Sapa-AFP

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