The women's Black Sticks are in prime position to book a quarter-final spot at the Hockey World Cup following a 3-1 pool play win over England in Amsterdam this morning.
New Zealand sit top of group B through two matches with a win in their final match over India on Friday enough to see them advance straight through to the final eight. A draw may also be enough.
The second and third placed sides in each group will move through to the cross-over round, meaning the Black Sticks have at least qualified for the knockout phase.
![England's Lily Owsley and Megan Hull of the Black Sticks fight for the ball during their World Cup pool match. Photo / Getty](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/ULVBP3WITAMCXIXPLBU3G2WLHU.jpg?auth=b95b2f0a4839bc1444ca0a47842267ff23667724681650c3930ef3ba4e450b15&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
England, the fourth-ranked side in the tournament and favourites in the group, took the lead in the first quarter through a Lily Owsley penalty corner. But two goals from Katie Doar within 10 minutes gave New Zealand a 2-1 lead shortly halftime.