New Zealand are just one win away from securing a semifinal berth for the first time in a men's hockey World Cup after a 1-0 win over Japan in Germany yesterday.
A 43rd minute goal from striker Simon Child, 18, was enough to keep the Black Sticks unbeaten in pool
A following a 3-0 win over Argentina and a 4-4 draw with Pakistan. Both of those opponents rank above New Zealand.
Black Sticks coach Kevin Towns warned their next two pool games, against Spain tonight and Australia tomorrow night, would be very tough.
"It's going to be hard work but on our day I think we can have a crack at a semifinal," Towns said.
Spain are ranked fourth and Australia No 1 compared with New Zealand's ninth.
Towns said he was happy with New Zealand's result but not their performance as Japan had dominated play.
"We were well off the pace. Definitely fatigue was a factor, though the boys said they were feeling OK going into the game.
"Japan were fresh and we had played three [games] in a row.
"Spain and Australia are the two big sides here but we've got a day's rest before we meet Spain who have to play Pakistan before us."
Japan's lack of finishing and some fine goalkeeping by Paul Woolford gave the Blacks Sticks a win.
"[Our guys] struggled mentally and it was not a pretty sight," Towns said.
Child's winner came eight minutes after halftime when he met and dispatched a cross from Bryce Collins to the back of the net.
Japan had five penalty corners and New Zealand didn't earn any.
Australia beat Argentina 4-0 in another pool A match.
In pool B, the Netherlands jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second half but Germany came back to level.
India managed their first point in three games with a 1-1 draw with South Africa.
In six World Cup outings New Zealand finished seventh in 1973, 1975 and 1982, ninth in 1986, 10th in 1998 and 9th in 2002.
- NZPA
