Bhubaneswar: World champions and holders Australia finally got their mojo back and defeated Argentina 4-2 to secure their place in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament at the Kalinga Stadium on Thursday.
After a not-so-impressive outing where they won one, lost one and drew one game, the Kookaburras got their act together and dished out a much superior performance to down World Cup bronze medallist Argentina.
It took Australia six minutes to surge ahead as Simon Orchard got a stick to Russell Ford's hard cross from the right flank.
Argentina equalised one minute into the second quarter through skipper Matias Paredes (16th), who volleyed home a great goal following a fine build-up between Lucas Vila and Facundo Callioni.
Five minutes into the second half, Argentina took the lead through Manuel Brunet's (35th) field goal after a great move.
But Argentina's lead lasted just two minutes as Jeremy Hayward scored his third goal of the tournament, with a fierce drag-flick from a penalty corner.
Australia then found the net twice in a span of 12 minutes to take control of the match.
Daniel Beale (42nd) first scored from an open play before Chris Ciriello fired home a penalty corner to give Australia a two-goal cushion.
Argentina tried hard to make a comeback thereafter but failed to breach the alert Australian defence.
In the semis on Saturday, Australia will play the winners of the quarter-final between England and Germany to be held later in the day.
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