Netherlands battle to final win over South Korea at World Hockey League semi-final

The Netherlands battled past a resiliant South Korean team to win the women's final ©AFP/Getty Images

Olympic champions The Netherlands were able to overcome a defensively minded South Korean team to win the women’s final at the World Hockey League semi-final in Antwerp, Belgium.

Having beatenAustralia 5-1 victory in their semi-final, the Dutch were the clear favourites going into the final against a South Korean side who had required a shoot-out to defeat New Zealand in their last four match.

South Korea opted for a defensive approach to try to combat the threat posed by the Dutch side and for the first-half of the match the plan worked to perfection as they were able to keep the score goalless, although Carlien van den Heuval went close to putting her side into the lead but was unable to connect at the vital moment.

The task facing The Netherlands became even greater early in the second half as a short corner was deflected to Kim Jong whose strike towards goal was turned into the net by Park Eunjung to give South Korea the advantage.

Inthe final quarter of the match, though, the pressure on the South Korean goal finally told as Caia van Maasakker fired in from a penalty corner to level the match, before player of the tournament Lidewij Welten set up Ellen Hoog to grab the second Dutch goal and seal a 2-1 win.

All four of the semi-finalists had all booked their places at the Hockey World League Final tournament in Argentinian city Rosario, with the eight-team event set to take place from December 5 to 13, but the third play-off had plenty resting on it as Olympic qualification was on the agenda for New Zealand.

Following South Korea’s victory in the 2014 Asian Games and their progression the final in Belgium, the highest ranked of the fourth place finishers at either the Semi-Final events in Valencia in Spain and in Antwerp would secure a Rio 2016 berth.

Australia were assured of a Rio 2016 berth prior to their victory over New Zealand in the third place playoff ©AFP/Getty Images

As Australia were ranked second in the world they were assured on their place regardless of their result against New Zealand in the third and fourth place playoff, whereas their Oceanic rivals required a victory due to having a lower ranking than Argentina, fourth place finishers in Valencia last month.

With Australia facing no pressure heading into the match they were able to play with freedom and two goals in the opening four minutes of the match from Emily Smith and Jane Claxton set them on their way to a third place finish in the tournament.

Mariah Williams added to the Australian advantage following a rebound and despite a brief New Zealand revival with goals from Stacey Michelesen and captain Anita Punt, a fourth Australian goal from Georgia Nanscawen secured a 4-2 win for her side.

New Zealand’s hopes of Olympic qualification still remain intact with a spot available at the 2015 Oceania Cup, which they are due to host from October 17 to 25.

Today's men’s final will see Olympic bronze medallists Australia take on hosts Belgium.

Britain are set to meet India in the bronze medal match.

All four sides are already assured of a place at Rio 2016.