India lost 2-5 to China in a Group A league match of the sixth Junior Women's Asia Cup hockey tournament in Bangkok on Monday.
India scored through Vandana Katariya (33rd minute) and Anupa Barla (57th minute), while Weijia Hao (11th and 24th minute), Na Wang (18th minute), Xiayun Xi (62nd minute) and Ailin Jiang (64th minute) were the goal-getters for China.
China took lead in the 11th minute with a field goal by Hao, and soon doubled the lead when Wang sounded the board seven minutes later.
Hao then scored her second goal in the 24th minute as China established a comfortable 3-0 lead.
However, India showed great fighting spirit and reduced the margin in the 33rd minute when Vandana scored a brilliant goal from the top of the circle.
India reduced the scoreline to 2-3 when Anupa scored another field goal in the 57th minute.
But China, who led 3-1 at the half-time, scored twice again in the second half with strikes from Xiayun Xi and Jiang to put the match beyond India's reach.
India will have to win their last league match against Malaysia on Tuesday to qualify for the semi-finals.
