Hockey: Wonder child in sparkling form

Black Sticks wonder child Charlotte Harrison earned the plaudits of her coach as New Zealand ensured a path to the semifinals yesterday.

The comfortable 3-0 victory over Canada meant the Black Sticks can finish no worse than second in their pool, guaranteeing them a spot in the semifinals and means the worst they can do is the play-off for bronze next weekend.

The 16-year-old's skills were on full display yesterday as she taunted the Canadian defence with her stickwork. Krystal Forgesson, 23, is also emerging as one of the players of the tournament and scored a brilliant opening goal to give the Black Sticks breathing room against a stodgy Canadian side.

"They're setting this tournament alight, both of them," coach Ian Rutledge said of his newcomers. "Charlotte has been phenomenal. Every time she gets the ball it's exciting," Rutledge said. "And Krystal's goal was fantastic, one of the best you'll see."

In just the fourth minute Forgesson found herself bearing down on goal with a fast-approaching goalkeeper. Forgesson waited for the keeper to slide and deftly flicked it over her and into the corner.

Defender Lizzy Igasan said the form of the two could be put down to the fact they played "without inhibition".

Although Harrison in particular had no trouble forcing penalty corners, New Zealand couldn't convert them. To be a serious gold medal contender they will need to improve on yesterday's none from 10 effort.

"We had enough chances probably to score more than three but we're through to the medal rounds now," coach Ian Rutledge said, not wanting to cast too big a shadow on the victory.

"We just wanted to win," Rutledge said. "In fairness to the Canadians they defended pretty well and the goalkeeper had a blinder."

The most effective corner in modern hockey is the drag flick, a la Hayden Shaw, and the Black Sticks have been tutoring Kayla Sharland in the difficult skill. She wasn't used yesterday but Rutledge said she remained an option.

"At this stage we're just trying to make sure our deflectors ... are getting into a rhythm."

The win sets up a pivotal final pool match with England and the winner of that match will avoid Australia in the semifinals, meeting either South Africa or India. Australia have been in dominant form, scoring 24 goals in three matches and conceding two.

New Zealand, thanks mainly to the defensive work of Igasan and Di Weavers, have conceded just one.

They didn't look likely to be broken yesterday and Forgesson's early impact enabled New Zealand to relax into their work.