The Hockeyroos have backed up their recent win over powerhouse Germany with another strong performance, however have a late surge from China has seen them force a 2-2 draw with Australia at the Champions Trophy tonight in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

While the performance was encouraging from the Hockeyroos against the world number 4 team ,the end result was disappointing given they led by two goals in the first half. Furthermore, the win would have guaranteed the Hockeyroos a place in the 5^th v 6^th place playoff and avoided a chance of relegation from the 7^th v 8^th place playoff.

However despite the Hockeyroos still being in a strong position in their pool on top with four points, their classification will now depend on their next match against England and results from other matches.

China applied an early high press on Australia attempting to cause a turnover, however with quick passing and good skill work the Hockeyroos were able to break down China and create some dangerous scoring attempts.

When China received a green card and were down to 10 players for two minutes Australia took full advantage, generating a penalty corner attempt.

The shot was taken by young defender Anna Flanagan who pushed the ball back to a waiting Casey Eastham on the baseline, and with the Chinese goalkeeper exposed Eastham made a great deflection to give the Hockeyroos the lead.

Playing with full confidence the Hockeyroos continued to push hard. After a tournament of missed goal opportunities, with the team entering the match having made only one from 16 penalty corner attempts, they were keen to make amends, doing so only minutes later when Jodie Schulz converted their second penalty corner goal to give them a 2-0 lead.

Despite trailing on the scoreboard China stuck to their game plan, and eventually worked their way on top in the final ten minutes of the half, putting the Australian defence under great pressure.

Goalkeeper Rachael Lynch was vital during this time but despite some great saves by her China eventually found a way to the goals, with the Hockeyroos failing to clear the ball from their defensive circle on three occasions allowing China get one back and make it 2-1.

The Hockeyroos had seemingly made it 3-1 early in the second half when a hit into the circle by Kobie McGurk was converted by Megan Rivers, however after a video referral by China was used it showed the ball had hit the foot of Ashleigh Nelson, with the goal withdrawn and the score remaining 2-2.

Despite the Hockeyroos having a momentum a slight lapse in concentration allowed China to get back in the game, with an easy turn over while attacking resulting in China having a free playing near their circle, exposing Rachael Lynch in goals and giving China their second goal.

Desperate for the win in order to give themselves a chance of avoiding the relegation match China pushed hard in the last ten minutes. Despite a few close calls the Hockeyroos defence held firm, with both teams leaving the pitch feeling as if they could have won the match.

The Hockeyroos will next play England on Friday 1 July.

Hockey Australia