The surging Black Sticks women are into the quarterfinals of the World Cup in the Netherlands.
They topped their pool with a thrilling 4-3 win over India in Amsterdam yesterday.
There was a tough start to the game as India scored a sensational goal in the fourth minute to grab an early lead.
But the Black Sticks kept their chins up and bounced back with a strong strike into goal from Olivia Merry that put things back on level pegging late in the first quarter.
Several penalty corners were conceded by the Black Sticks but again their defence held firm, with Hope Ralph and player of the match Brooke Roberts pivotal in keeping India at bay.
The Black Sticks received a penalty corner early in the second half with Megan Hull, earning her 50th cap, hammering it goalward and finding the stick of Frances Davies to give her side a two-goal buffer.
New Zealand continued to deny penalty corners back in its own half but conceded a goal when there was some confusion after a yellow card to midfielder Tarryn Davey.
India continued to press and, much as they did against England, the Black Sticks conceded a flurry of penalty corners, but were able to keep India out.
Merry restored the Black Sticks’ two-goal advantage late in the second half, but India scored in the 59th minute then won another pair of penalty corners in the final seconds.
New Zealand was resolute in defence to secure a significant win and move on, undefeated, to the quarterfinals.
It will play either Germany or South Africa on Wednesday.
