‘Incredible’ Black Sticks win again at World Cup

The Black Sticks women outclassed India to top their pool and earn a free passage into the quarterfinals at the World Cup in the Netherlands and Spain.

After a draw with China and a win over England, New Zealand needed only a draw from their final pool game to ensure top spot, but an Olivia Merry double and a fine Brooke Roberts goalkeeping effort saw them go better than that, with a 4-3 victory in Amsterdam yesterday.

The Black Sticks now avoid a crossover playoff (for teams ranked second and third from each pool), and instead get an extended break before their quarterfinal, where they will face either world No 4 Germany or No 16 South Africa next Wednesday.

‘‘It was a massive game for the girls, I’m just so thrilled with the way they fought through the whole game, they’re incredible, the girls in front of me,’’ Roberts told the host broadcaster after being named player of the match.

‘‘It means so much to every woman in our team, and every coach. We fought so hard in every single game, we’re in a really tough pool and we took every game really hard right till the end.’’

Ranked No 8 in the world, New

Zealand’s best finish at a World Cup is the fourth place they managed at the 1986 tournament in the Netherlands.

Just like in Wednesday’s win over England, the Black Sticks were made to play from a goal down against India, after the world No 9 side opened the scoring in the fourth minute through Katariya Vandana.

But New Zealand hit back soon after when co-captain Merry hammered home from a penalty corner, and a good save from Roberts kept things level at quarter time.

The women in black then led for the first time in the match just over a minute from halftime when Tessa Jopp pickpocketed the defence and slotted home.

Just two minutes into the third quarter the Black Sticks extended their advantage when co-captain Megan Hull went from a penalty corner and Frances Davies deflected in.

With another great diving save from

Roberts keeping India in check, the Kiwis looked poised to take their twogoal advantage to three-quarter-time, only for a great pass from Sushila Chanu to have a diving Lalremsiami Hmarzote poking home to make it 3-2 going into the final period.

Then, with India down a player after a yellow card to Deep Grace Ekka, it was Merry who doubled New Zealand’s lead once more, with a well-struck 52nd minute penalty corner.

India put on a brave late fight, scoring through Kaur Gurjit and ensuring they edged third spot in the pool ahead of China, but the Black Sticks had already done enough.

‘‘I’m just so thrilled with the way they fought through the whole game.’’ Brooke Roberts Black Sticks goalkeeper