Oranje hope to blossom against NZ

NEW DELHI: The Netherlands and New Zealand face a crucial test on Wednesday on Day Four of the FIH Hero Honda World Cup here.

Both eye the semifinal spot with hoping to rewrite some records. The Dutch are looking to make amends for the last World Cup in Monchengladbach where they finished seventh while the Kiwis are set to make a landmark entry to the semifinals of an event they have finished no higher than seventh.

The Dutch, three time champions, blanked Argentina 3-0 in their opener, thanks to the deadly drag flicks of Taeke Taekema who notched a hat-trick and swelled his tally of World Cup goals to 16.

Their traditional prowess at drag-flicks overshadow the Dutch ability to produce a flowing game and they proved yet again while playing the South Americans, the real danger lies in their midfield to control play. Teun de Nooijer, the veteran whose fleet-feet belies his 33 years of age, is going to be the No. 1 threat for the Black Sticks who have raised their stocks after qualifying for the Champions Trophy in Salta, Argentina, in December.

Ranked No. 8, New Zealand, like the Dutch, began with a win but one eked out in the dying minutes with a goal by the veteran of over 230 internationals Ryan Archibald that saw them through past No. 13 ranked Canada.