The New Zealand women's team will play for a medal and a shot at Olympic qualification following a thrilling 5-1 win over Japan in the World League in Antwerp yesterday.
It is through to the semifinals, where it will meet either Belgium or Korea tomorrow morning.
If the Black Sticks win their next game, they will earn automatic qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics, while the top-four placing also earns them a spot to compete at the World League finals in Argentina in December.
With the game delicately poised at 1-1 at halftime, New Zealand overpowered Japan in the second half and the floodgates opened.
Coach Mark Hager said Japan caught the New Zealanders off-guard in the first quarter but it was pleasing to come back and take control.
''The Japanese surprised us, the way they came out. They were very aggressive and played a fast tempo and we were a bit shellshocked,'' he said.
''It was pleasing that, at 1-0 down, we didn't panic. We kept striving along and changed our tactics as the game went on, which worked for us.
''We knew if we scored goals the game would open up.''
Japan came out running and quickly started creating chances on attack, taking the lead inside five minutes when Akiko Kato pounced on a loose ball in the circle.
The Black Sticks responded immediately, with a good passage of play ending with Petrea Webster knocking home a rebound.
Both sides had their chances throughout the second quarter but went into halftime locked up at one goal apiece.
The Black Sticks lifted the intensity after break and took their first lead of the game in the 34th minute, with Sophie Cocks putting the finishing touch on a superb baseline run and flick back by Gemma Flynn.
Eight minutes later, the buffer went out to two goals with Anita Punt rocketing a penalty corner drag flick into the roof of the net.
Kirsten Pearce put the game beyond doubt midway through the fourth quarter with a brilliant run into space and then lobbed over the keeper before Flynn knocked another one home from close range for her side's fifth goal.
