Source: GB Hockey

GB draw FIH Champions Trophy opener against hosts China

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Great Britain twice came from behind to draw their FIH Champions Trophy opener against hosts China in Changzhou.

China took the lead through Xu Wenyu whose deflection from a penalty corner found its way past Sabbie Heesh in the GB goal on seven minutes.

With just five seconds remaining in the first quarter GB levelled through Martin, Sarah Jones made the clever pass allowing Martin to round the keeper and fire home on the reverse.

After 21 minutes China were back in front as Peng Yang pounced on a rebound to slap home but GB levelled immediately as Owsley unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

The second half saw both sides largely cancelling each other out as chances became few and far between. There were some frantic moments in the closing stages and both sides pushed to grab a winner but the spoils were shared.

Next up for Great Britain are Australia tomorrow morning at 6am UK time. The match will be shown live on BT Sport.

Great Britain XI: Sabbie Heesh (GK), Laura Unsworth, Sarah Evans, Anna Toman, Hannah Martin, Susannah Townsend, Giselle Ansley, Sophie Bray, Hollie Pearne-Webb (C), Lily Owsley, Grace Balsdon 

Subs: Amy Tennant (GK), Sarah Robertson, Suzy Petty, Erica Sanders, Tessa Howard, Sarah Jones, Amy Costello