Hockey: Black Sticks reach semis

Olivia Merry and Jordan Grant celebrate a goal. Photo / Photosport

The Black Sticks Women have secured their spot in the Hawke's Bay Cup semifinals after an emphatic 4-1 result over India in this evening's quarter-final.

Shaking off a slow start, the Kiwis took control of the game and dominated the second half to ensure themselves a top four finish at the tournament.

Striker Olivia Merry starred with a double, while Petrea Webster and Ella Gunson were also on the scoreboard for New Zealand.

The Black Sticks are booked to play their semifinal on Saturday, where they will meet Korea.

Head coach Mark Hager said it was good to be able to contain the Indians, who were dangerous on the counter attack.

"After going down early it was pleasing our girls fought back and never gave up," he said.

"I have heart attacks on the sideline sometimes but that's the way we want to play is up tempo high risk hockey.

In the second half we created lots of opportunities around the attacking circle and that's what we need to keep doing going into the weekend's semifinal."

India made a fast paced start to the opening quarter and earned a penalty quarter inside the first five minutes. Captain Ritu Rani then received the ball on the far post and slipped it in past Amelia Gibson.

The Black Sticks were swift to respond though and after finding a penalty corner of their own, Petrea Webster was able to get a touch on Anita Punt's flick to level the score at 1-1.

Olivia Merry gave New Zealand their first lead of the game just out from halftime when she got a terrific pass in from Jordan Grant before sweeping into the roof of the net.

Merry then pushed the Kiwis out to a two goal buffer late in the third quarter when a shot at goal went high into the air and bounced into the back of the goal.

The Black Sticks sealed the result in emphatic style with five minutes on the clock when Ella Gunson fired home for her side's fourth of the night.

Earlier in the day China and Japan played out a goalless game, with China coming out on top 3-1 in the deciding shoot-out to go through. They will meet Australia in the semis, after the Hockeyroos held on for a tight 1-0 result over Argentina to knock them out of top four contention.