New Zealand has finished second in their pool group at the World League semifinal tournament with a 4-2 win over Belgium in Rotterdam today.
First-half goals from Krystal Forgesson, Kayla Sharland, with a penalty stroke, and Gemma Flynn put the Black Sticks in charge in a period in which New Zealand had 11 shots on goal to none from the Belgians.
Katie Glynn made it four early in the second half before Belgium picked up two goals in the final quarter from Louise Versavel and Erica Coppey as the Black Sticks lost their shape.
The result leaves world No 3 New Zealand to play Japan, who finished third in Pool A early on Wednesday morning in their must-win crossover game to keep alive their ambition of progressing to the finals in Argentina in December.
"I thought we played a very good 55 minutes, but the last part of the game was a bit scrappy," coach Mark Hager said.
"Compared to the game against Germany, we were probably a bit more aggressive, we took the game to them, whereas against Germany we were on the back foot and more hesitant,"
Germany topped pool B after beating India 7-1 and play Chile.
In the other games on Wednesday, Korea play Belgium and the Netherlands meet India.
The top three teams are guaranteed to progress to the final tournament.
The Black Sticks men play India in their final group game early tomorrow.
