5 Dec 2014

Black Sticks beat China, top group

11:39 am on 5 December 2014

The New Zealand women's hockey team has beaten China 2-0 in their final group match at the Champions Trophy tournament in Argentina.

Captain Anita Punt scored twice in the second quarter from penalty corners.

Black Sticks captain Anita Punt

Black Sticks captain Anita Punt Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Punt says it was a good team performance in the first half, but they fell off in the second half which is a little disappointing and something they'll have to look at.

New Zealand finished top of their group, ahead of the Netherlands on goal difference, who needed a late winner to beat Japan 1-0.

The Black Sticks will play England in the quarter-finals on Friday.

In their earlier games the Blacks Sticks beat Japan 2-1 and drew 1-1 with the Dutch.

All eight teams progress to the quarter-finals.

Argentina finished top of the other group from Australia, Germany and England.