Australia's World Cup defence came crashing down as Argentina outclassed the home team 1-0 in a semi-final at Perth Hockey Stadium.

The fact the Hockeyroos were no longer a world hockey power was cruelly exposed on home soil by the South Americans who thoroughly deserved the victory.

The last time the two sides met in Australia the Pumas were silver medallists at the Sydney Olympics to the home team.

But the 2002 Argentinian version look right on track to finally ditch their reputation as bridesmaids at World Cup and Olympic level.

It was the first time the visitors had beaten Australia at a major tournament and they were well led by brilliant midfielder Luciana Aymar.

The 25-year-old controlled proceedings, continually finding space and organising her side's attacking thrusts including Agustina Garcia's eighth minute matchwinner.

The strength of the Hockeyroos' midfield had been questioned all tournament and Aymar ruthlessly exploited it.

The South Americans entered the match as favourites and a much tighter unit having unlike the Australians retained almost all of their players from the Sydney Games.

The result will leave Hockeyroos coach David Bell with plenty to think about looking towards the Athens Olympics in 2004.

Argentinian sharpshooter Vanina Oneto made a shock return sporting a glove to protect her broken finger which was expected to have kept her out of the tournament.

But her presence had little impact on the result.

Australia struggled to overcome nerves early on, finding it difficult to string passes together or keep a check on any member of the Argentinian forward line.

And it only took until the eighth minute before the tournament's leading scorer Garcia punished the home side.

Aymar made a weaving run before isolating Garcia with veteran defender Louise Dobson.

The 21-year-old striker turned Dobson and squeezed the ball between Imison's legs for her eighth goal of the 16-nation tournament.

Watching Imison again be defeated by a direct shot must have made coach Bell wish Imison would close her legs after being exploited in similar fashion twice in Australia's 3-1 pool loss to the Netherlands.

Australia struggled in the opening 20 minutes but finished stronger with 17-year-old striker Susannah Harris sparking them as the half went on.

Both sides had their opportunities to score more goals but the 1-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of the half.

The second half was an even affair but the Hockeyroos couldn't find a way through the Argentina's stingy defence despite Nikki Hudson looking most likely.

And the home team had to scramble against numerous attacking raids from the visitors.

Bell left out defender Nicole Arrold and midfielder Ngaire Smith while goalkeeper Rachel Imison was favoured instead of the reliable Nina Bonner.

In earlier matches, England and Korea ensured they would playoff for fifth spot tomorrow and earned themselves spots in the next year's six-nation Champions Trophy in Sydney.

The English belted Germany 7-2 while Korea downed Spain 2-0.

And South African goal machine Pietie Coetzee earlier stunned Ireland registering a goal in just over eight seconds in her team's 4-3 victory in the classification match for 13th to 16th placing.

The Netherlands and China play for the other final berth.

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