GB women complete a double over China in the FIH Pro League London mini tournament

Great Britain Women’s Team defeated China 4-3 in their third match of the FIH Hockey Pro League London mini tournament held on Friday at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.  

Lily Owsley (2'), Hannah Martin (5', 40') and Sarah Robertson (20') were the goal scorers for the Great Britain women's team. Bingfend Gu (10'), Xindan Zhang (50') and Meirong Zou (51') each scored a goal for China. With this win, the home side climbed to third place in the points table.  

GB got off to an excellent start as they opened the scoring in the very first minute of the match.  Owsley deflected the ball into the goal with a stunning dive at the right-hand side of goal during a well-worked penalty corner. Within three minutes, they doubled the lead through Martin, who slotted the ball home from a well-worked attack down the right. GB maintained a lot of possession, but against the run of play China managed pull a goal back through a penalty stroke awarded following a penalty corner. Gu converted the penalty corner to make the scoreline 1-2 in the 10th minute of the opening quarter. China made a dangerous run in the last minute of the quarter, but GB's defence nullified the attack to maintain a slender 2-1 lead. 

Great Britain dominated possession in the second quarter and continued to put relentless pressure on the visitors. Robertson's sneaky tap in at the back post saw GB taking the 3-1 lead in the 16th minute of the match. Moments later, China earned their second penalty corner of the match, but Sabbie Heesh made a comfortable save to deny China a goal. The final stage of the first half played out without further chances, the home side still leading 3-1.  

The second half started in a similar fashion, both teams pushed, the ball alternating from one end to the other, as they looked for an opening. China had a hat-trick of penalty corners, but GB's defensive line led by goalkeeper Amy Tennant stood tall to clear the ball to safety. GB, slowly taking control of the game, earned a series of penalty corners, with the last being converted by Martin in the 40th minute. A powerful drag-flick by Giselle Ansley was well-directed by Martin in front of the goal to make it 4-1. 

After a cagey start to the final quarter, China scored back-to-back goals in quick succession. Their second goal came from the stick of Xindan Zhang in an open play in the 50th minute, the third goal was scored by Meirong Zou, who found the back of the net from a penalty corner routine in the 51st minute. In a breathless final period, China pressed in their bid to score an equalizer and took off their goalkeeper to play with an extra outfield player. They made relentless forays inside GB's circle, but the home side put up a resilient defensive show and held out to edge past China 4-3.