"We now have a chance to finish the tournament on a high," coach Mark Hager said. "Though we had high hopes, the fact remains we are still a way from being in the top four nations. But to finish in the top six, after a tough week, gives us something to build on."
New Zealand trailed 2-0 with just over ten minutes left , before Cathryn Finlayson forced home a rebound. It was their first goal in over two hours' play and it ignited their belief.
"It was a relief to score," Kayla Sharland said, "and after that it felt like nothing was going to stop us."
When Finlayson netted again in the 67th minute, a precise shot from a tight angle, the pro-Kiwi crowd erupted. Both teams had further chances before Michelsen's goal and subsequent New Zealand jubilation.
For the first hour coach Mark Hager must have been frustrated. His team again turned over too much possession, failed to find their teammates when clearing their lines and missed simple passes on the run.
They lack experience in the midfield, which means fewer options, but most of the basic mistakes like misdirected passes or missed traps should not be seen at this level.
Hager didn't hold back at halftime; his venting could be heard from the press boxes.
"If you get a chance you have got to want to score," he told his team, "not just think you will score. Give it a crack and get it on target. And defenders, we have to be patient. Respect the ball."
"I just wanted them to get a bit desperate," reflected Hager after the match. "To throw themselves at the ball, to make sure they were first to it. Thankfully in the second half we showed some real desire."
Earlier a combination of brilliance from goalkeeper Bianca Russell and some wasteful finishing from the Chinese kept the score to 1-0 at halftime. When the Chinese extended their lead in the 41st minute, it was death or glory time.
It was fitting Michelsen scored the winning goal, a day after being named the FIH young player of the year. The 20-year-old was inspirational in midfield, driving her team forward along with captain Kayla Sharland. Hager also singled out Russell, Krystal Forgesson, Emily Naylor and Clarissa Eshuis for praise, while the team's commitment was epitomised by Charlotte Harrison who on three occasions in the second half dived full length to make a tackle.
Great Britain face Germany in the first semifinal today (9.30am NZT) before Argentina and the Netherlands meet in the night game (12.00pm NZT).
New Zealand 3 (C. Finlayson 60, 67 S. Michelsen 75) China 2 (L. Gao 10, Q. Song 41) Halftime: 0-1
