The Hockeyroos face an uphill battle to make the Champions Trophy final after only managing a 2-2 draw with Beijing Games nemesis China in Sydney on Tuesday night.

Australia held a 2-1 advantage through goals to Ashleigh Nelson and Casey Eastham until five minutes from time when a goal to China's Jiahui Liao drew the match.

The result leaves Australia precariously placed on four points after a win, loss and draw from their three games to date.

The Netherlands (7 points) and second-placed Argentina (6 points), who have a game in hand, lead the way.

The Hockeyroos warmed to the task in the crisp conditions at Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre and were the better side in the first half.

Some passages of creative play resulted in four first half shots on goal, while commendable defence kept China from getting a single shot away.

Exciting 20-year-old midfielder Eastham showed off her silky skills and quick footwork when she set up the Hockeyroos' opening goal.

Eastham ran rings around the defence as she darted towards the circle, letting rip with a reverse hit, where Nelson dived into the pass and made no mistake, sending the ball high into the back of the net in the 46th minute.

China hit back almost immediately when dangerous forward Song Qingling made a clear break and beat goalkeeper Toni Cronk with a backhanded shot to draw the visitors level in the 50th minute.

Eastham was in the thick of the action again in the 57th minute when she scored from Australia's only converted penalty corner of the tournament from 14 attempts.

But Liao secured China's first point of the tournament when she received a pass in the circle and scored in the 66th minute to draw the match.

Hope Munro led Australia's charge through the midfield and made some great metres as she set up a number of the home side's attacking plays. Striker Nelson was one of the Hockeyroos' best while Nicole Arrold was outstanding in defence and along with captain Madonna Blyth, largely carried the load for her inexperienced teammates at the back.

Only the top two sides at the end of the pool matches get to play-off for the Champions Trophy.

The result was a mirror of Australia's draw with China in their final round match at last year's Olympics which cost the Hockeyroos the chance of progressing to the medal rounds.

Samantha Broun
AAP