New Zealand were too good for India, winning their second game at the women's World League hockey semifinal 5-0 in Antwerp, Belgium today.
The win follows an opening 12-0 thumping of Poland and leaves the Black Sticks well placed to top their pool and secure a favourable quarter-final drawproviding they don't slip up against world No 2 Australia in their third pool B game on Friday morning (NZT).
New Zealand produced a whopping 31 shots on goal to four by 13th-ranked India, who owed a debt to their resolute goalkeeper Rajani Etimarpu, whose work prevented the world No 4 Black Sticks from putting up a cricket score.
Attacker Gemma Flynn, who scored four times against Poland, put New Zealand in front with a clever high volley after 10 minutes, and Olivia Merry added a second two minutes into the second quarter when she reacted quickest to a loose ball in front of the Indian goal.
Flynn, who struck a post with one attempt, was on the job again with her sixth goal of the tournament five minutes before the end of the third quarter, pushing home a rebound after a Merry shot bounced off a post.
Two goals from striker Kirsten Pearce wrapped up a convincing win, the first a well struck effort off a Flynn pass, the second a clever reverse stick shot from long range.
It wasn't all good news, with New Zealand failing to capitalise on all three penalty corner opportunities and some of their skill work let them down.
''The basic skills are really important," Flynn said. ''Our trapping, passing and playing our game with speed are important for us moving forward."
