The Black Sticks men are on track to qualify for the Olympics after comfortably dispatching Canada 4-0 overnight and securing their place in the semi-finals of the qualifying tournament.
New Zealand required a win by 10 goals to take top place in their pool - but it was a feat just slightly out of reach. Instead they finished second meaning they are likely to face Great Britain in the semi-finals.
The top three teams qualify for the Olympics, meaning a win in the semi-final assures them a place. If they lose, they will need to win the 3rd/4th placing game to qualify.
The opening goal against Canada was scored six minutes in when Scott Boyde found himself unmarked on the wing and smashed the ball into the centre of the circle with Jake Smith putting out his stick to direct the ball into the goal.
The lead was doubled five minutes into the second quarter when Isaac Houlbrooke ran into the top of the circle and slapped the ball into the backboard for his first international goal.
They added another two minutes later when Houlbrooke played facilitator from the wing, passing into Sam Lane who whipped out a reverse shot straight past the keeper.
In what was their best chance to get on the scoresheet Canada had a penalty stroke saved midway through the third quarter by Leon Hayward.
The Black Sticks added their fourth goal late in the third quarter when Boyde had a shot well saved but the ball fell generously to Hugo Inglis who tapped the it in.
New Zealand’s semi-final will take place on Sunday at 3.30am NZT live on TVNZ.
Meanwhile, the Black Sticks women beat the Czech Republic in the first of two placing matches, for 5th-8th, 2-0.
Captain Megan Hull admitted in her post-match interview that it was a difficult game to mentally “get up for,” as the Black Sticks were frustrated for the majority of the match by a plucky Czech side.
The deadlock was broken three minutes from full time with a Katie Doar goal, while Sam Child added the safety with a minute left to play.
Their final match for 5th/6th is tonight at 9pm against Italy - who they defeated in pool play 3-0.
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