The Hockeyroos' Champions Trophy title hopes are officially over, beaten 2-1 by the world No.1 Netherlands on Thursday night (Friday AEST) in their last major tournament before the Rio Olympics.
It leaves the Australians six points off second-placed Argentina with one win from four games, and no chance of reaching the top-two finals paying position even if they beat fifth-placed Great Britain on Saturday.
In wet conditions, the table-topping Dutch opened the scoring after six minutes courtesy of a field goal, before going two up via a penalty corner in the first minute of the second half.
Australia were then controversially denied a goal through Kathryn Slattery for obstruction, before the forward scored late to narrow the final margin to one.
"It's been quite frustrating," coach Adam Commens said.
"We just cant take a trick with our video umpiring - I thought it was a goal from Kathryn Slattery.
"It's very frustrating for the players because they work very hard and we've had a bad run of luck with some umpiring decisions."
The result was a disappointing way for Casey Sablowski to end her 250th game, while it was also the 100th match for Jane Claxton and Georgie Parker.
Australia need only draw their last match of the group stage to ensure they read a third-place playoff in the six-team tournament.
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