China suffered a 1-0 defeat to host Australia at the women's hockey Champions Trophy in Canberra.

China totally dominated the first half, having a massive 14 circle penetrations to Australia's four, but were unable to convert the pressure on the scoreboard.

To the home crowds delight, Angie Skirving was the one to finally break the deadlock midway through the second half. She converted a penalty corner with a powerful drag flick high into the net in the 47th minute, after Nikki Hudson had hit the crossbar off the previous penalty corner.

Australia now, like the Netherlands, needs one win from their remaining two matches to progress to the final.

China has only collected a win from three games to place 4th ahead of South Korea. Germany was at the bottom after Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Argentina, who was third in six points from two wins.

(CRI November 30, 2005)