Argentina to clash with Aussies for women's hockey gold

Argentina was assured it's first ever Olympic hockey medal when it's women team thrashed New Zealand 7-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the final against hosts Australia.

Two former champions, Spain and the Netherlands, will fight for the bronze in a replay of today's super league match which the Dutch won 2-1.

Australia, the reigning champions and hot favourites, scored an equally devastating 5-1 win over China to warn their unfancied rivals of what lay ahead in Friday's final.

Nikki Hudson scored two goals to become the tournament's leading scorer with six, while Julie Towers, Jenny Morris and Claire Mitchell Taverner contributed one each for Australia.

But the Hockeyroos, hoping to become the first women's team to successfully defend the Olympic title, would have taken note of Argentina's brilliant strikes against the Kiwis.

Vanina Oneto pumped in four goals and Cecilia Rognoni two as the Argentines ran over the hapless Kiwis in a one-sided game at the State Hockey Centre.

Argentina were the only team in the six-nation super league not to carry forward any points from the preliminary round.

They finished with nine, winning all three second round matches against the Netherlands, China and New Zealand.

New Zealand, who needed a win to qualify for the final ended on four points.

Argentina had qualified for their first Olympics in 12 years by defeating the United States in the final of the Pan-American Games in Canada last year.

Australia had beaten Argentina 3-1 in the preliminary league, but coach Ric Charlesworth was not taking another victory for granted.

Argentina's men's team, which failed to make the semi-finals, cheered the Kiwi demolition from the stands.

Rognoni, who returned to the Games after being suspended for throwing the ball at an umpire during the Pan-American Games, began the goal rush in the ninth minute.

Oneto and Karina Masotta increased the margin, before Tina Bell-Kake pulled one back for New Zealand just before half-time.

Argentina dominated the second session, scoring four goals in a nine-minute burst as the Kiwis wilted under the assault.

The Dutch, meanwhile, rose from the brink to stake their claim for the bronze after their victory over Spain.

The Dutch were a draw away from elimination after losing their first two matches to Australia and Argentina.

But the winners of the Champions Trophy in May struck timely form, aided by goals in each half by star striker Susan van der Wielen.

Wielen scored the first with a penalty corner seven minutes before half-time, and then added another in the 63rd minute by deflecting in a pass from the right.

Sonia de Ignacio earned Spain a consolation goal two minutes before the final hooter.

Germany, meanwhile, finished seventh with a 2-0 win over Great Britain in a classification play-off. South Korea were ninth after defeating South Africa 3-0.

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