Otago got hammered 6-1 by Canterbury in its opening pool match but bounced back to beat Waikato 2-1 the next day. It followed up that improved performance with a 4-3 win against North Harbour on Tuesday to clinch a semifinal against Northland today.
Canterbury will play South Canterbury in the other semifinal.
Otago coach John Daniel has been thrilled with the way his team has pulled together. The team did not have a lot of time together before the tournament and there was some uncertainty as to how competitive they might be.
The heavy loss to Canterbury could have so easily reinforced any doubts but Otago was able to blow off the disappointment and stay focused.
The win against North Harbour was a little more convincing than the final score suggests.
Otago led 3-0 at halftime and then 4-1 when co-captain Seb Buddle banged in a penalty stroke. Harbour scored a third goal early in the fourth period to set up an interesting finish, but could not breach Otago's defence again.
Daniel said Buddle and fellow co-captain Nathan Gilbert had outstanding games and inspired a wonderful team effort.
''They held the team together through the tough spots,'' Daniel said.
''We have not had the rub of the green in the past few games.
''But, regardless of that, the guys held their own and kept our structures and replied as only an Otago team can.''
Midfield defender Vinnie O'Connor has been in impressive form during the tournament. He played an instrumental role in marshalling the defensive effort when Harbour went searching for an equaliser.
''I'm reluctant to point out individuals because everyone has stepped up and I want to make sure that is recorded,'' Daniel said.
In the women's tournament, Otago prevailed in a tense shootout with Northland.
Northland scored in the 60th minute of the bottom-four match to level the score 2-2 and force a shootout.
The teams were tied 3-3 after seven attempts in the shootout before Otago's Greta Pearce slotted what proved to be the winner.
Otago will play Tauranga today but has already secured a place in the playoff for fifth and sixth tomorrow.
Coach Nigel Ben-Gurion felt a fifth-place finish would be a good return for what is a very young side.
