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Australia win women's Champions Trophy

Striker Katrina Powell scored twice as Australia maintained their fine record in women's field hockey by retaining the Champions Trophy with a 3-2 victory over The Netherlands in Brisbane today.

The Olympic and World champions sealed the match midway through the second half after the scores were locked at 2-2 at the break.

The Hockeyroos ripped open the Dutch defence after just 43 seconds, scoring from a diving close-range shot from Powell, but The Netherlands got even through Dillianne van Den Boogard in 24 minutes.

Bianca Langham gave Australia the lead again with an unstoppable drive from a penalty-corner on 29 minutes, but the Dutch got level again when Karlijn Petri lunged to score from almost impossible angle seven seconds from the break.

Powell got the winner after firing in a rebound, when Dutch goalkeeper Clarinda Sinnige saved her first attempt.

Earlier Germany's Natascha Keller scored three minutes from time to secure the bronze in a 1-0 win over Argentina.

Keller got her fifth goal of the tournament from a penalty-corner.

New Zealand finished fifth by beating South Korea 3-1 and earned the right to stay in next year's competition in The Netherlands.

The Koreans will be relegated and replaced by South Africa.

In tomorrow men's final, Australia has the chance of a double as it faces South Korea.

AP