Hockeyroos thump NZ at world finals

The Hockeyroos are on track to finish above world champions Argentina and top their pool at the World League Finals in Argentina after thrashing NZ 5-1.

The message was simple from hard-marking coach Adam Commens after the undefeated Hockeyroos cruised into the World League Finals playoffs in Argentina - the tournament starts now.

Surprise packets the Hockeyroos topped their pool ahead of world champions Argentina after thrashing New Zealand 5-1 in their final round-robin game on Wednesday (AEDT).

World No.5 Australia locked in a quarterfinal against European champions Germany at Tucuman, Argentina on Friday (AEDT).

The Hockeyroos are one of the form teams of the tournament that features the world's top eight sides, scoring a remarkable 10 goals in their past two games.

But Commens was not getting too excited, hinting they were almost back to square one due to the quarterfinals' sudden-death nature.

"Anything can happen in a one-off match like the quarterfinal," he said.

"It's unusual in that every team qualifies for the quarterfinals.

"You might win every game but no matter where you finish (in your pool), if you lose your quarterfinal, you are out."

Kellie White's brace and goals to Georgie Parker, Ashleigh Nelson and Jodie Schulz completed the rout over the Black Sticks, who trailed 2-1 at halftime.

It was a more comfortable win than Australia's Oceania Cup final defeat of New Zealand which they claimed in a penalty shootout last month.

"It was one of our better performances on the pitch in a while," Commens said.

"We were unlucky not to be further ahead at halftime but in the second half we were more clinical in their circle."

Australia began the tournament with a morale-boosting 1-1 draw with Argentina before thumping China 5-1.

Argentina downed world No.7 China 3-1 on Wednesday, well short of the eight goal margin they needed to pip Australia and top the pool.


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Source: AAP


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