India made a fine comeback from a two-goal deficit but let in a late goal as China held them 4-4 in a round-robin league match of the second leg of Four-Nation hockey tournament in Darwin on Thursday.
China stamped initial authority, scoring in the fourth and 11th minutes, before India levelled with two goals in the space of two minutes (23rd and 24th) only to see Chi Song striking again for China three minutes from the breather (32nd).
India erased the 2-3 deficit of first half with Ignace Tirkey scoring a fine field goal in the 48th minute and Gurvinder Singh Chandi made it 4-3 in India's favour in the 57th minute.
Just as it looked like India would romp home, Chi Hu found the target in the 62nd minute to draw parity and India had to be satisfied with one point from the tie.
India, who had yesterday lost to Korea 2-5 in their first match, will now have to beat mighty Australia, who won the Perth leg of Four-Nation tournament, on Saturday to have a chance of making it to the final.
Australia have already made it to the final with two wins from as many matches. Korea (3 points) and China (one point) play against each other in the second match on Saturday.
Tomorrow is rest day.
India had 1-1 record against China in the first leg in Perth. They had beaten China 2-1 in the league match but lost 1-2 in the bronze medal match in Perth.