The Dutch side managed to maintain their 100 per cent record as they clinched a narrow 2-1 success over Australia, which guaranteed them a place in gold medal contest on Sunday (June 26). 

The result gave them their fourth consecutive win at the tournament on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, where they secured the Olympic title in 2012, and reasserted their position as favourites to lift the Champions Trophy for the first time since 2011.

They will face a tough task if they are to wrestle the crown from Argentina, the reigning Hockey World League champions, who qualified for the final of this year's event by virtue of the win for The Netherlands.

The South American side had earlier edged New Zealand 4-2 in a thrilling encounter.

"We played well, but there is always room for improvement”, said Dutch star Lidewij Welten, the FIH Player of the Year.

“Our aim is to get better with each game, that is our group mentality.

"It is good for us to play Australia in a tournament like the Champions Trophy because we don't get to play them so often."

Michelle van der Pols gave The Netherlands the lead in their match with Australia just six minutes in before captain Maartje Paumen doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark.

Kathryn Slattery gave Australia the feintest of hopes of clawing their way back into the encounter when she halved the deficit late on but the formidable Dutch held on.

Argentina's Carla Rebecchi continued her excellent form in the competition so far as she scored twice in her side's victory over New Zealand, while Florencia Habif and Maria Granatto also got on the scoresheet.

The two goals for Rebecchi moved her personal tally at the "best of the best" event to seven.

Sophie Cocks and Olivia Merry were the goalscorers for New Zealand, who remain hopeful of claiming a spot in the bronze medal game.

In the final match of the day, Emily Wold and Kathleen Sharkey guided the United States to a 2-0 victory over winless hosts Britain, who now sit bottom of the group.