Australia will meet Olympic champions Germany in the semi-finals after their win over Argentina. Photo: AFP

BHUBANESWAR: Title holders Australia shook off some poor group stage form and a slow match start to beat Argentina 4-2 on Thursday to reach the Champions Trophy hockey semi-finals.

The Kookaburras, record 13-times and five-time reigning champions, will next play Olympic title holders Germany who beat previously undefeated England 2-0 in the quarters.

Pakistan, who beat The Netherlands 4-2, will be up against either Belgium or arch-rivals India.

Australia had just one group stage win and were also down 2-1 before they beat the third-place World Cup finishers Argentina.

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Jeremy Hayward and Chris Ciriello were on target off penalty corners on either side of Daniel Beale's effort for victory.

Earlier, Matias Paredes and Manuel Brunet had cancelled out the Kookaburras' lead from Simon Orchard.

Kookaburras coach Graham Reid was mostly happy with the performance.

"It was a good learning experience to go behind early in the third quarter then get even and get back in front," he said.

"I'm pleased but not satisfied. Our objective coming here was to progress and develop. There were some good signs today from a couple of the young guys. We're developing leadership within the group and a few people showed leadership today, not just from the captain and the senior players but all the way through."

Pakistan, whose third and so far last title at the prestigious event dates back two decades to 1994, had lost all three group games but came alive at last in the knock-out stage to beat the Dutch for the first time since 1998.

DPA