Sian Fremaux scored a hat-trick to help the Junior Black Sticks women to a 6-2 defeat of Germany and keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the final of the Lal Bahadur Shastri four nations tournament in India overnight.
The New Zealand side rebounded from their 2-1 defeat to India the previous day in the under-21 tournament with a strong performance against Germany and after a rest day today will meet Australia for a place in Saturday's final.
The Germans, who beat Australia 3-1 in their first match, opened the scoring early through Marilena Kraub but this proved the catalyst for the Junior Black Sticks, who scored four goals in seven minutes. Pippa Hayward executed a perfect reverse lob over the German `keeper Fremaux continued her good form with two goals and Rhiannon Dennison gave the goalkeeper no chance with a powerful reverse shot from the top of circle.
Kraub converted a penalty corner for Germany right on halftime to close the gap but the Junior Black Sticks dominated the second spell with some slick passing. Fremaux, won was the player of the match, completed her hat-trick with a reverse shot and Tara Hall put the game beyond doubt with some excellent skills to slot the ball past the keeper.
India had the chance to qualify for the final but were held to a goalless draw by Australia.
