England produced a dominant display to beat New Zealand 2-0 in the first crossover match of the 2018 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Monday.
England will face Olympic champions Argentina in the first quarterfinal on Wednesday.
Will Calnan scored the first goal in the 25th minute with a field strike then Luke Taylor converted a penalty corner in the 44th to help England to a comfortable win.
World number 7 England were by far the better side against Black Sticks in the opening two quarters, creating more goal-scoring chances than their ninth-ranked opponents.
England had the first scoring chance in the fifth when they earned their first penalty corner but they failed to utilise the opportunity.
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After a barren and eventless first quarter, England drew first blood in the 25th minute when Will Calnan deflected in a high ball from skipper Phil Roper from the left flank.
Two minutes later, a Liam Ansell strike from close range went just went inches off the target as England wasted a golden opportunity.
The Black Sticks tried to forge a comeback towards the end of the second quarter and in the 28th minute, a Nick Ross strike from the top of the strike was padded away by England goalkeeper George Pinner.
Seconds later, England were awarded a penalty corner but they failed to stop the push and wasted the chance to go into the breather a goal down.
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England continued from they left after the change of ends and secured back-to-back penalty corners just after the resumption of play but wasted both the chances.
The Black Sticks tried to bounce back but they could find the net after entering the England circle.
England earned their fourth penalty corner just a minute away from the final quarter and Taylor scored after David Condon’s initial try was saved by New Zealand goalkeeper Richard Joyce.
New Zealand came close to reducing the margin in the 49th minute but Stephen Jenness' shot from inside the box was easily parried away by England goalie Pinner.
With two goals down, a desperate New Zealand took out their goalkeeper Joyce nine minutes from the final hooter for an extra player.
The move backfired as England became the only team to earn two penalty corners without a goalkeeper but Cory Bennett put his body on the line and took a heavy knock to keep England at bay.
In the final minute of the match, New Zealand secured another penalty corner but Pinner made a smart save to keep a clean slate and keep intact England’s record of never finishing below eighth in the World Cup.
(With PTI inputs)
