The result followed the Kookaburras’ commanding 9-1 victory over Pakistan in the 6pm start, where Blake Govers scored a hat-trick and Melbourne boy Aaron Kleinschmidt scored a brace.

The result sets up the Kookaburras for the gold medal match ahead of Thursday’s 6pm clash with New Zealand, while the Hockeyroos face a crucial meeting with USA at 7.30pm.

The Hockeyroos were downed by Caia van Maasakker’s first quarter penalty corner goal and Maartje Krekelaar’s third quarter strike on the break.

However, Australia grew into the game after a first-half of few chances, with Brooke Peris coming close in the third when in one-on-one.

Hockeyroos skipper Emily Smith was enthused by the display.

“Obviously they’re the benchmark of international hockey so we’re going to learn a lot,” Smith said.

“Every time we come up against them it’s a fast-flowing game. To stay with them for such a long time was promising, now we’ve got to get a few more goal scoring opportunities and limit there’s which I thought we did quite well. 

“Obviously they’re very skilful once they get in the circle so they punished us a couple of times.”

Van Maasakker opened the scoring in the eighth minute with the visitors having the better of the chances, while Australia had plenty of possession without bite.

Krekelaar fizzed a shot wide before half-time in a warning sign, converting a chance on the break in the 35th minute.

Peris almost responded for Australia three minutes later but dragged her shot wide when in one-on-one.

Rachael Lynch and Jocelyn Bartram made some good saves to keep it at 2-0, before Renee Taylor had a good chance go narrowly wide.