Changzhou (China), Sep 9 (IANS): Though India started with two massive wins over North Korea and Singapore, their challenge fell flat in front of China as they lost 2-4 to the hosts in their third Pool A match of the women's junior Asia Cup here on Wednesday.

Both teams started aggressively, trying to dominate the other. India took off with effective strategies and gained ball possession in the early minutes but China scored three back-to-back goals through penalty corners which made the difference between the two teams.

China, with their early attack, earned a penalty corner which was perfectly saved by goalkeeper Inderpreet Kaur. However, the opponents came back strongly and attacked from all sides to create more opportunities.

They earned three penalty corners in a short span of six minutes and converted all to take a big lead of 3-0. Bingfeng Gu (two goals) and Qiu Guo scored via penalty corners in the 10th, 11th and 15th minutes for China.

After conceding three, India played their best to now allow any more goals. They counter attacked and earned a penalty corner which was not wasted by drag-flicker Jaspreet Kaur, who converted to score India's first goal in the 33rd minute.

The first half finished 3-1 in favour of China.

In the second half, after a series of attacks, India earned a penalty corner which they failed to convert. China quickly counter-attacked and Chenyang Guo scored a field goal (50th minute) to increase the lead to 4-1.

India suddenly found legs and managed to earn another penalty corner. This time Gurjit Kaur took the shot and converted in the 56th minute to make it 2-4.

The hosts tried a few more attempts on the Indian goal but custodian Inderpreet thwarted them. At the final whistle, the score-line was 4-2 in favour of China.

India play their last Pool A match against Malaysia on Thursday.