The Dutch, who needed a win to prevent Spain from making the final, were stunned by a dazzling display by the hosts before some 8,500 screaming fans at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium.

Indian goalkeeper Bharat Chetri warded off the Dutch strikers until the 51st minute when he was beaten by a Roderick Weusthof penalty corner to concede the lead.

India drew level four minutes before the final whistle when Sandeep Singh converted a penalty corner, but Taekema converted one in the dying seconds to give the Dutch a hard-fought win.

The Netherlands ended the six-nation league on 10 points, one point more than Spain, who themselves secured a tough 3-2 win over Germany earlier in the day.

Olympic champions Australia, already assured of a place in the final with four consecutive wins, take on Pakistan in the last league match later on Friday.

The title clash on Sunday will be a repeat of the Olympic final in Athens last year in which Australia rode on Jamie Dwyer's sudden-death goal to down the Netherlands.