The Hockeyroos started the year as Olympic gold medallists and Champions Trophy holders, and now look set to end the year as neither.

A 2-1 defeat by the Netherlands in Argentina - the Hockeyroos' second loss in two games at the Champions Trophy tournament - has virtually ended their hopes of back-to-back titles.

Beaten 1-0 by new Olympic champion Germany in its first game, the rebuilding Australian women's squad squandered an early lead in the match against the Olympic silver medallist in Rosario.

Australia now must win its remaining three games and hope for miracles elsewhere to finish first or second after the round-robin stage and qualify for Sunday's final.

Hockeyroos coach David Bell said he was happy his young team had shown improvement.

"We played well enough to deserve a point out of today's game," he said.

"I'm disappointed that we had a couple of opportunities for the draw with deflections across the face of goal and didn't convert."

"It takes time to develop combinations and at the moment we are being let down by turnovers which are being created by people not knowing the style that others play and where they want the ball.

"That often takes teams four or five years to develop."

Australian under 21 captain Teneal Attard and rookie ACT defender Ursula Ditton impressed again in a squad featuring only six players from the Olympic squad which finished fifth in Athens.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP