LONDON, Aug 9: Germany will defend their field hockey title in the final after stunning world champions Australia 4-2 at the Riverbank Arena on Thursday.

For the first two-thirds of the match the Aussies had often looked the better team, but a controversial disallowed goal fired up the Germans who came back spiritedly from 1-2 down with three dramatic goals.

Kieran Govers opened for Australia off a rebound in the 21st but lead lasted only three minutes though as Moritz Fuerste fired into the lower left corner to equalise. Glenn Turner put Australia back in front after the break by pouncing on a rebound in the second half.

But the match turned around after Germany were denied an apparently brilliant equaliser, for dangerous play.

The Germans refocused, and levelled in the 53rd thanks to Matthias Witthaus. Five minutes after that they were in front for the first time in the match after Ben Wess took a penalty corner and elder brother Timo Wess scored from it. Then Florian Fuchs clinched it with a field goal in the 63rd, diving full length to divert a centre-pass.

Earlier, Pakistan twice fought back from a goal down to defeat South Korea 3-2 and claim seventh place while New Zealand clinched a 3-1 win over Argentina for ninth spot.—Agencies