New Zealand's women are one game away from completing a successful week for hockey after advancing to the final of the Hawke's Bay Cup.
The Black Sticks romped to a 4-0 win against Korea in today's semifinal in Hastings, setting up tomorrow's decider against either Australia or China.
If thefavoured Australians do indeed advance, New Zealand will have a chance to complete a transtasman double over their old foes, with the men's side having beaten Australia in Monday's final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
And based on today's evidence, the women certainly seem capable of upsetting the world No 2 Australians. The semifinal win over Korea was a commanding effort from the Kiwis and left coach Mark Hager struggling to recall a better recent performance.
"I think it's the best we have played since the London Olympics, as a collective unit for the four quarters," Hager said. "From Georgia Barnett in goal right through to the strikers, it was a good effort from all the girls."
Olivia Merry, Gemma Flynn and Petrea Webster were the scorers but the victory was truly a team effort, with some great defence that kept Korea scoreless.
"It was good to see that our strikers were so clinical in front of goal and put their chances away," Hager said. "The energy was there and that helped us up front."
The Black Sticks enjoyed a dream start when, after a period of sustained pressure, they were rewarded as Flynn passed to a perfectly-positioned Merry to tap in the opener.
A minute later, Flynn was in a similar position in front and received a terrific cross from Kirsten Pearce, knocking it over the line to double New Zealand's lead.
Webster made it three from a successful penalty corner variations shortly after the halftime break and the striker notched her second in the 50th minute to complete the rout.
