Masotta's solo strike caps Argentina glory

Argentina, runners-up to Australia in the Sydney Olympics, won their first major title when they beat the Netherlands 3-2 in an exciting final of the Rabobank Women's Champions Trophy here in the Netherlands yesterday.

The 7,000-capacity crowd basking in the hot sunshine were stunned into silence in the 13th minute when, at a penalty corner, Cecilia Rognoni give Argentina the lead. A minute later, at a second corner, Mercedes Margalot put them further ahead.

The Dutch rallied, but failed to make three penalty corners of their own count just before the interval. Although they finally pulled a goal back in the 51st minute through Julie Deiters, a wonderful solo strike from Argentina's captain Karina Masotta quickly restored their two-goal cushion.

However, a minute later Argentina conceded a simple goal to Ageeth Boomgaardt. The Dutch summoned up a grandstand finish but were unable to breach the Argentina defence to force extra-time.

In the third-place play-off, two goals from Australia captain Katrina Powell, the second a golden goal in the 81st minute, gave them the bronze medal as they beat the fast-improving Chinese 2-1. New Zealand also edged out Spain 2-1, who are relegated to next year's Champions Challenge.

There was bitter disappointment for England's Under-21s at the beginning of their Five Nations Tournament in Kuala Lumpur when they were beaten 4-0 by the host nation.

Rabobank Women's Champions Trophy (Amstelveen): Final: Netherlands 2 Argentina 3. 3/4th Australia 2 China 1 (aet). 5/6th Spain 1 New Zealand 2.

Five Nations Under-21 Tournament (Kuala Lumpur): Malaysia 4 England 0.