The Netherlands secured a 4-2 win over the Hockeyroos in their World Cup pool match. (Getty Images: Soccrates/Eric Verhoeven)
Australia's women's hockey team have been defeated by reigning champions, the Netherlands, in their FIH Hockey World Cup pool match.
The Hockeyroos are still likely to advance to the second round of the tournament, despite the 4-2 defeat.
The Hockeyroos next face Chile on Wednesday.
The Hockeyroos have been beaten by the Netherlands in their second match of the FIH Hockey World Cup, going down 4-2 despite a battling performance against the reigning champions.
Australia are nevertheless well placed to qualify for the second round with the group's other result going their way.
The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos' last major tournament was Paris 2024 where they exited in the quarter-finals. They have both experienced significant change since then, and are determined to start their new eras with success at the World Cup.
The Aussies took Monday's game to their hosts from the opening whistle in the Amsterdam suburb of Amstelveen, producing a strong first quarter and putting the world number one team under sustained pressure.
The Hockeyroos earned a startling eight penalty corners in the opening term, including seven in succession, but were unable to find the breakthrough.
Australia paid for their profligacy as the Dutch showed them how it is done, scoring with their first penalty corner through Yibbi Jansen in the 13th minute.
The Netherlands doubled their advantage in contentious circumstances.
Australia referred Joosje Burg's goal for a potential back stick in the build-up, with replays showing the ball had made contact with the back of a Dutch stick. However, because the incident occurred outside the attacking 23-metre area, it was deemed non-referable, and the goal stood.
Refusing to let the setback halt their momentum, the Hockeyroos continued to attack and were eventually rewarded through Steph Kershaw, who found the back of the net in the 23rd minute to reduce the deficit.
Kershaw was involved again as Australia drew level at 2-2, getting the faintest of touches on an Abi Williams flick to set up a thrilling finish against the tournament favourites.
With the match in the balance heading into the final quarter, the Netherlands showed why they are the world's top-ranked side.
