Sport

Black Sticks qualify for final

06:35 am on 13 November 2009

The New Zealand men's hockey team is through to the final of the World Cup qualifying tournament in Invercargill, with a game in hand, after beating China 6 - 1.

With the maximum 12 points from four victories, New Zealand will meet either China or Malaysia in the decider.

The Black Sticks ran rampant over the Chinese, the next highest ranked team in the tournament, with 3 goals in the first half... 2 to Andy Hayward from penalty corners and a field goal to Phil Burrows.

Simon Child scored 2 in the second half and Hayden Shaw got the last from a penalty corner.

Black Sticks Coach Shane McLeod says they'll have to be careful not to lose their momentum and will make sure they set a good platform for Sunday's final.

In the final round-robin matches tomorrow, New Zealand play Austria and Malaysia and China meet to decide the other finalist.