New Zealand were too good for India, winning their second game at the women's World League hockey semifinal 5-0 in Antwerp, Belgium today.
The win follows an opening 12-0 thumping of Poland and leaves the Black Sticks well placed to top their pool and secure a favourable quarter-final draw providing they don't slip up against world No 2 Australia in their third pool B game on Friday morning (NZT).
New Zealand produced a whopping 31 shots on goal to four by 13th-ranked India, who owed a debt to their resolute goalkeeper Rajani Etimarpu, whose work prevented the world No 4 Black Sticks from putting up a cricket score.
Attacker Gemma Flynn, who scored four times against Poland, put New Zealand in front with a clever high volley after 10 minutes, and Olivia Merry added a second two minutes into the second quarter when she reacted quickest to a loose ball in front of the Indian goal.
Flynn, who struck a post with one attempt, was on the job again with her sixth goal of the tournament five minutes before the end of the third quarter, pushing home a rebound after a Merry shot bounced off a post.
