Hockey: Black Sticks beat China

New Zealand Black Sticks Sophie Cocks. Photo / Greg Bowker.

New Zealand kept up their strong run of results with a 2-0 win over China at the women's hockey Champions Trophy in Mendoza, Argentina today.

The Black Sticks will now face England in their quarter-final on Friday.

Both teams could have scored within the first three minutes today. Xi Xiayun had two chances on goal requiring good work from goalkeeper Sally Rutherford, surprisingly recalled after Georgia Barnett's fine game against the Netherlands two days ago.

Striker Sophie Cocks had an early opportunity for the Black Sticks while Petrea Webster, one of several players to put in an industrious performance, had a great chance but mishit her shot.

Cocks had a hand in the opening goal two minutes into the second quarter when she won a penalty corner. The first was blocked, but a second penalty corner ensured, from which midfielder Anita Punt slammed the ball high into China's net.

Seven minutes before halftime, the Black Sticks increased their lead when Punt's penalty corner shot was deflected by a Chinese defender into the goal.

China finally got chances from penalty corners in the final quarter but Rutherford produced a couple of tidy saves to keep a clean sheet.

Good defensive work from Brooke Neal and Ella Gunson helped keep China at bay, while Stacey Michelson, usually among the key attackers, played a more defensive role on the right side against China, to good effect.