Tauranga pair Rose Keddell, left, and Sam Charlton celebrate after the win over Argentina. Photo / Photosport
Tauranga pair Rose Keddell, left, and Sam Charlton celebrate after the win over Argentina. Photo / Photosport
The Vantage Black Sticks have stunned reigning world champions Argentina 2-1 to progress to the semifinals at the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final in Auckland.
Argentina were dangerous from the opening whistle and scored early before a tremendous fightback powered New Zealand to a famous victory.
The result willsee the Black Sticks go up against the winner of the quarter final between England and the USA, with the draw to be confirmed at the conclusion of all quarter-finals.
It was an extra special night for Shiloh Gloyn who played her 50th test in a match she certainly won't forget.
Defender Sam Charlton from Tauranga said it was an incredible feeling to go through a tough pool phase and finally click when it counted.
"Everyone is pretty happy right now. We didn't have the start to the tournament that we were expecting but we knew we'd get up for any game in the quarters and it was great to see us do that today," she said.
"It was good to see the girls really play with belief tonight even after going down early. You could see everyone had that fight in them.
"Whether it's England or USA in the semifinal we know it will be a tough game but we are certainly up for the challenge."
Argentina edged ahead in just the second minute when Delfina Merino capitalised on an opportunity deep in the circle to knock the ball past goalkeeper Sally Rutherford.
New Zealand rallied following the goal and created some great phases of play but went into halftime still trailing by one goal.
The Kiwis caught fire early in the third quarter and equalised through a 32nd minute penalty corner which Brooke Neal rocketed into the roof of the net.
Captain Stacey Michelsen put the Black Sticks in front just a minute later from another corner, getting a deflection on a great Ella Gunson ball to the far post.
New Zealand absorbed huge pressure from Argentina in the final quarter but were strong on defence with Rutherford also making some crucial saves.
In the other quarter-final played, Korea upset Germany 3-1 in a shootout after the game was locked up 3-3 at fulltime.
New Zealand 2 (Brooke Neal, Stacey Michelsen) Argentina 1 (Delfina Merino) Halftime: Argentina 1-0
