The final of the women’s Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy will be a rematch of today’s last preliminary round match after Australia produced a stirring display to defeat the Netherlands in Canberra.

With both teams needing only a draw to secure their path into the tournament decider following Argentina’s victory earlier in the day, Australia played the brighter, more confident hockey.

Australia ended the round robin phase undefeated and with the best defensive record in the competition, due in large part to Angie Skirving’s leadership at the back for the Hockeyroos.

Australia placed pressure on the Dutch ball carrier across the pitch and never allowed them to settle into the rhythm that had taken them to the top of the points table prior to today’s match.

Despite the loss, the Netherlands also qualified for the final with a superior goal difference to Argentina. Their seven-goal defeat of Germany early in the tournament provided the necessary buffer to eliminate Argentina from title contention.

The Netherlands were without the services of midfielders Fatima Moreira de Melo and Miek van Geenhuizen today and it’s unclear whether the pair will be able to take part in tomorrow’s final.

Argentina narrowly missed the final for the third consecutive Champions Trophy. They have finished the preliminary rounds in third place each of the last three years after being unable to secure enough points to advance to the final.

They scored a lucky one-goal win over Korea in the opening match of the day, but were left to watch on the sideline hoping for an Australian loss.

China’s scrappy victory over Germany in the other day five match boosted them into the bronze medal playoff against Argentina, with Korea and the Olympic champions to contest the fifth place playoff.

The loser of the match will be eliminated from the 2006 Rabo Hockey Champions Trophy in Amstelveen, Netherlands, next year, and will be replaced by New Zealand in the elite six-team tournament..