Eva De Goede scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute as the Netherlands defeated Australia 1-0 on Thursday at field hockey's Women's Champions Trophy, assuring the Dutch a berth in the final.
The victory was the Netherlands' fourth in as many matches and left them as the only unbeaten team and atop the six-team table with 12 points.
In Thursday's late match, Argentina beat Japan 3-1, leaving them in second place with nine points, two ahead of Australia. Germany, who beat Spain 2-1 on Thursday, were next with six while Spain were left with one and Japan zero.
The Dutch, reigning World Cup champions, dominated throughout, earning five penalty corners to the Australians none.
Against Japan, the Argentines attacked almost continuously for the first 20 minutes, but generated only a handful of chances.
Japan relied on the counterattack, having their best chance when Domomi Komori raced into the circle alone in the 14th minute, but she fell as she prepared to shoot.
Noel Barrionuevo converted Argentina's only penalty corner of the first half in the 31st minute for her third goal of the tournament.
Marine Russo doubled Argentina's lead in the 41st minute, converting a rebound from Agustina Garcia's center.
Rebecci scored her second three minutes later to give Argentina a 3-0 lead.
Sakae Morimoto scored Japan's lone goal, angling short from the corner of the circle in the 64th.
Argentina need a win or a draw today against Australia to guarantee themselves a place in the final.
If Australia win, the Hockeyroos advance to the championship match.
Japan and Spain face off today in a preview of a match they will play tomorrow for fifth place. Germany, the defending champions, face the Netherlands in today's other clash.
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