Raipur: World champions Australia held off a strong challenge from the Netherlands 3-2 in the first semi-final of the Hockey World League (HWL) Final at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel International Stadium in raipur on Friday.

Dylan Wotherspoon (eighth minute) and Daniel Beale (22nd) made it 2-0 before the defending champions equalised with goals from Constantin Jonker (29th) and Mirco Pruijser (33rd). Matt Gohdes scored the winner in the 42nd minute.