Unfancied China shock Australia

Unsung hosts China stunned reigning Olympic champions Australia 1-0 in the elite six-nation women's hockey Champions Trophy in Macau on Sunday.

In the day's other matches, Argentina and the Netherlands drew 1-1 while New Zealand thrashed England 5-0.

On Saturday, Argentina beat New Zealand 1-0, Australia and the Netherlands drew goalless, and China and England drew 1-1.

The once dominant Australians, chasing a record sixth Champions Trophy, were shocked by a brilliant 58th-minute strike by Ma Yi Bo as their run of recent woeful form continued.

The upset comes just weeks after the World Cup champions, heavy favourites to take gold at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, stumbled to England in the semi-finals and were fortunate to scrape a bronze medal. England were beaten by India in the final.

A hard-working Chinese side proved more than a match for the Hockeyroos in the first half at the Macau stadium, restricting the feared Australian strike-force, led by Nikki Hudson, to just a few half-chances in an uneventful first 35 minutes.

However, it took some desperate defending to keep out Julie Towers at the start of the second half after a six-player goalmouth melee.

Ma then sent the partisan crowd wild with a cleanly struck shot from just beyond the circle which found its way past Toni Cronk's outstretched pad into the bottom right-hand corner.

Though the Australians created two more chances they failed to convert and the Chinese celebrated their first ever win over the Australians by dancing with joy at the final whistle.

Sunday's opening match saw Argentina draw 1-1 with the Netherlands after a skilful and tight contest.

Minke Booij put the Netherlands in the lead in the 15th minute, while Argentine captain Karina Masotta equalised in the 42nd minute. Both goals were scored from penalty-corners.

Following the result, Argentina and China share the lead atop the league table with four points. New Zealand, with three points.

The second match of the day saw New Zealand prove too good for the English and pick their first points in the tournament. Four out of the five New Zealand goals were scored from penalty-corners, with Suzie Pearce scoring in the 10th minute, Jaimee Provan in the 32nd and 43rd minutes, Michelle Turner (49th) and Piki Hamahona in the 67th minute.