The 2006 women's hockey world cup opened yesterday in Madrid, Spain, with China, second runners-up at the last tournament, losing to England 3-2 in their first group match.

In a bid to reclaim their former glory days – they won the 2002 Champions Trophy, Asiad Champions title and ended in fourth place at the 2004 Athens Olympics – China recalled the retired veteran trio of goalie Nie Yali, defenders Huang Junxia and Chen Zhaoxia.

However, the side that impressed the world with a silver medal at the Champions Trophy competition in July, just couldn't seem to get a grip on their over-enthusiasm to win the first round-robin game last night. 

England controlled much of the game, attacking throughout the match. Alex Dawson scored at the 15th minute to give England the lead. Penalty-corner play used to be the highlight of China's game but they only scraped two chances during the first half, one of which was squandered. But Chinese captain Ma Yibo redeemed the day when she whacked the second penalty to equalize.

Their joy was short-lived because Lucilla Wright made it 2-1 just two minutes later and England held on to their one-goal lead until the break.

China managed to find their attack rhythm early in the second half when Ren Ye netted an equalizer at the 35th minute. But the English players kept up the pressure with Crista Culen eventually scoring the winner at the 55th minute.

"The way China plays suits our style of hockey and we managed to build pressure as the match went on. I am very pleased with my team; they were magnificent,” beamed England coach Danny Kerry.

"We didn't play well today," said China's South Korean coach Kim Chang-back, adding: "We had team-play troubles and also problems both physically and mentally."

This first-round loss has cast doubt on China's chances of advancing because they are grouped with Athens Olympics champions Germany, runners-up the Netherlands, and 1992 Olympics champions and host Spain in Group A. China lost both the two matches they had with Germany this year and are tied 1-1 with the Netherlands. According to competition rules, only the top two teams in the group will progress to the semifinals.

In other opening games, Spain upset Germany 1-0, favorites the Netherlands beat India 3-2, Australia edged out South Africa 1-0, South Korea beat Japan 2-1, and Argentina took a 2-1 win over the US.

The Women's Hockey World Cup, a quadrennial event established in 1972, runs until October 10.

(China.org.cn by Li Xiao, September 28, 2006)