The New Zealand women's hockey team have their eyes on a first appearance in a Champions Trophy semifinal when they face hosts Netherlands in their final pool match in Amstelveen tomorrow morning.
The Black Sticks go into the match at the Wagener Stadium buoyed by their 3-2 win over Australia on Monday but wary of a Dutch side who have never lost against New Zealand.
The Mark Hager-coached side will know what they must do to progress to the top-four playoff stage after Germany, who are level with them on points and goal difference, play Australia in an earlier match.
But knowing what they need to do and being able to achieve it are two very different things, especially against a Dutch side that have beaten New Zealand 14 times in international competition with the closest result a 2-2 draw in 2002.
Hager is conscious of the need to retain possession against the side ranked second in the world and reduce the number of turnovers his side gives up if they are to be competitive.
"Our turnovers are a little bit too high. In the last two games we've been around 70-80 so we need to reduce that tomorrow. If we can stay around 70 then we'll be in the contest, anything above 80 then I think we'll be in a little bit of trouble and may concede a few goals," Hager said.
The Dutch goal threat is evident - they have already scored five goals in the tournament, including hammering Australia 3-0, and beat the Black Sticks 3-1 at the Champions Trophy last year and thrashed them 7-3 in the World Cup in 2010.
Hager is especially wary of the threat the Netherlands pose from penalty corners with their captain Maartje Paumen boasting 14 goals from the set piece in the Champions Trophy.
"We have to limit the opportunities for Paumen, she has a fantastic record. If we give her too many opportunities we could get quite hurt," he said.
While the Dutch crowd has ben supportive of the Black Sticks in their 1-0 loss to Germany and their win over Australia, Hager is aware that will not be the case tomorrow.
"One of our aims is to keep them quiet," he said.
Five of the New Zealand side at least have the experience of playing regularly against their opposition with Lucy Talbot, Anita Punt, Emily Naylor, Krystal Forgesson and Gemma Flynn all playing in the Dutch league last season.
The match starts at 3am (NZT).
