SEMI-FINALS AWAIT BLACK STICKS MEN

The Vantage Black Sticks Men will be happy with a routine victory overnight in Muscat, Oman as they comfortably dispatched Canada 4-0.
 

The Black Sticks were able to play with freedom already having secured their place in the semi-finals of the Olympic Qualifiers with Germany beating Chile. 
 

New Zealand required a win by 10 goals to take top place in their pool - but it was a feat just slightly out of reach. Instead they finished 2nd meaning they are likely to face Great Britain in the semi-finals.
 

The opening goal was scored 6 minutes in when Scott Boyde found himself unmarked on the wing and smashed the ball into the centre of the circle with Jake Smith putting out his stick to direct the ball into the goal. 
 

The lead was doubled 5 minutes into the second quarter when Isaac Houlbrooke ran into the top of the circle and slapped the ball into the backboard for his first international goal. 
 

They added another 2 minutes later when Houlbrooke played facilitator from the wing, passing into Sam Lane who whipped out a reverse shot straight past the keeper. 
 

In what was their best chance to get on the scoresheet Canada had a penalty stroke saved midway through the third quarter by Leon Hayward.
 

The Black Sticks added their 4th goal late in the third quarter when Boyde had a shot well saved but the ball fell generously to Hugo Inglis who tapped the it in.
 

New Zealand’s semi-final will take place on Sunday at 3.30am NZT live on TVNZ+.
 

Meanwhile, in Ranchi, India, the Vantage Black Sticks Women beat the Czech Republic in the first of two placing matches, for 5th-8th, 2-0.
 

Cptain Megan Hull admitted in her post-match interview that it was a difficult game to mentally “get up for,” as the Black Sticks were frustrated for the majority of the match by a plucky Czech side.

The deadlock was broken 3 minutes from full time with a Katie Doar goal, while Sam Child added the safety with a minute left to play.

Their final match for 5th/6th is tonight at 9pm against Italy - who they defeated in pool play 3-0.