New Delhi, March 10 : Australia's speed and firepower will be up against the free-flowing game of the Netherlands as the two title favourites clash in the semi-final of the Hockey World Cup here Thursday.

The two sides are bracing for their fifth-ever tryst in the pre-summit round of the World Cup after a contrasting run in the Pool stage. The Australians began with a shock defeat and then won three games, while the Dutch saw their three-game victorious stint broken following a draw against Germany and a loss against Korea in the last two outings.

Australia have been the most prolific with 23 goals in the tournament, with Luke Doerner (6), Jamie Dwyer and Glenn Turner (5 each) finding their names in the top scorers' list. The Kookaburras' 12-0 whipping of South Africa has been the most lopsided game of the competition at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Aussie coach Ric Charlesworth, however, conceded there are still some weak areas his team needs to sort out before the semis.

"We are still improving as a team and a lot has to be done. I wanted to see my team in the semis in the second week of the tournament and we are there. From here on we have other goals," he said.

The Asia-Oceanian nation - reaching the semis as the top team in Pool B - has not been able to do justice to their reputation in the World Cups so far, managing to bag the title only once and that too 24 years back. The defending Champions Trophy winner finished second in the last two editions of the World Cup and would be looking for yet another try in the title round by overcoming the formidable Dutch challenge.

With skipper and seasoned campaigner Teun de Noojer playing the playmaker's role to perfection, the Netherlands have looked sharp in the their attacks, but their penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema has looked a trifle unsure with his dragficks after recording a hat-trick in the Pool A opener against Argentina.

Netherlands also have one of the strongest defence line in the competition, and Guus Vogels has been the best on view under the bar.

Having won the last of their three titles 14 years back, the Nordic nation practically scraped into the semis with a slender lead in goal difference over Korea, and it remains to be seen if they can regain the momentum in the knock-out game.

The two sides have met eight times in the World Cup, each winning four times. However, the Netherlands hold an edge in the head-to-head semi final contests, winning thrice as opposed to Australia's sole win in 2002.

"Australia brings a lot of speed and power in the game. We have to be very careful against them," said Dutch coach Michel van den Heuvel.(IANS)