Top-ranked Netherlands may go into this year's women's field hockey World Cup — which begins Wednesday — feeling a little uneasy as favorites again.

The record five-time champion was favorite to win its first world title since 1990 at the 2002 finals in Perth, Australia, before succumbing on penalties to Argentina in the final.

Two years later in Athens, Greece, it was rival Germany which took the Olympic title.

Now, Dutch coach Marc Lammers believes his young squad will make up for those disappointments, with midfielder Maartje Goderie leading the Oranje.

Goderie already has two Champions trophies at 21 and was 2005 young player of the year award. Goderie's link with striker Ellen Hoog is vital to the Netherlands' attempt to claim the sport's second most prestigious title behind the Olympics.

Defending champion Argentina boasts the world's best player in 28-year-old attacking midfielder Luciana Aymar, the only player to be named MVP three times — including the past two years. Since making her debut at the 1998 World Cup, she has scored a goal every three games.

Argentina coach Gabriel Minadeo will be relying on Aymar even more after he dropped defender Cecilia Rognoni, one of the world's best, for disciplinary reasons.

Germany will draw on it's men's World Cup victory 10 days ago and its experienced players to upset again, as will 2000 Olympic champion Australia, with captain Nikki Hudson looking for a repeat of that triumph in Sydney, Australia.

China or South Korea could play spoiler by finishing in the top-two after the round robin stages, automatically earning a trip to the semifinal.

With the additions of Japan and India, it is the first time four Asian teams will feature at the World Cup.