20 Jun 2013

Black Sticks women achieve first target at World League

6:08 am on 20 June 2013

First target achieved for the New Zealand women's hockey team, after qualifying for the semi-finals of the World League in Rotterdam with a 3-1 victory over Japan.

Japan scored first after just a couple of minutes via a New Zealand own goal but the Black Sticks then dominated the game and Krystal Forgeson equalised from a penalty corner early in the second half.

Anita Punt put them ahead in the 54th minute and Charlotte Harrison sealed the game five minutes from time.

The top three teams from this tournament automatically qualify for next year's World Cup.

However coach Mark Hager admits their semi-final opponents the Netherlands won't be easy.

New Zealand lost to the Netherlands in a shoot-out in the Olympic semi-finals, and the Dutch went on to win gold as New Zealand finished fourth.

In the other World League semi-final, South Korea meet Germany.