A last-minute goal from a penalty corner condemned the New Zealand women's hockey team to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of China in Den Haag in the Netherlands today.
Clarissa Eshuis gave the Black Sticks the lead in the seventh minute from a penalty corner but China were back on level terms four minutes later and it stayed that way until the late strike
Black Sticks co-captain Kayla Sharland and goalkeeper Bianca Russell sat out the match to rest respective hamstring and calf injuries, but coach Mark Hager was able to give 18 players game time.
The Blacks Sticks play China again tonight and on Saturday night.
Result: New Zealand 1 (Clarissa Eshuis) China 2. Halftime: 1-1.
