Following victory in their opening round robin stage of the tournament against Japan, the Canadianswere brushed aside by Australia yesterday in an 11-2 demolition.

Winless China appeared ideal opponents for the North Americans to bounce back against, but the tie was locked a 3-3 by the end of the opening quarter.

A hat-trick from 19-year-old Emma Wright saw Canada edge away from their opponents in the second period, however, as they reached half-time with an 8-5 advantage.

China battled back into the match in the second half with Niu Guannan setting up a tense finale, drawing her team level at 13-13 inside the final five minutes.

Goals from Joelle Bekhazi and Wright eventually saw Canada edge two points clear of their opponents, with a late strike from Sun Yating proving only a consolation for China as they fell to a 15-14 defeat.

“The key to the victory was just staying disciplined, playing our game, sticking to basics, and doing what was asked of us from the beginning to the end,” said Canada’s captain Krystina Alogbo.

“In the last minutes we were told just stick to what’s been working, not to rush anything, keep attacking, keep pushing, keep doing our game.”

Canada’s victory could prove crucial to their chances of finishing in the top four nations at the tournament, which would secure them a place at June’s World League Super Final in Shanghai alongside China, who qualify automatically as hosts.

Their next tie will be against the Olympic champions, the United States, who recorded their third straight win of the competition.

A superb display in the opening quarter of their match against Japan saw the host’s storm into a 9-1 lead as they looked to put the contest beyond their opponents.

Japan, defeated in their first two matches, could not battle back into the tie as the American team recorded a 19-2 win.

The Australian team also have a faultless record at the event as a hat-trick from Isobel Bishop helped her nation overcome Brazil 15-3.