<p>Muscat: Defending champions India suffered a 1-2 defeat to three-time winners China in their third match of the Women's Junior Asia Cup here on Wednesday.</p>.<p>The rematch of the 2012 final lived up to expectations, with India creating opportunities and dominating the first two quarters, but the scoreline remained goalless.</p>.<p>China shifted gears in the third quarter, with skipper Tan Jinzhuang (32nd) scoring off a penalty stroke and Wang Lihang (42nd) converting a penalty corner to give their team a decisive edge.</p>.<p>India's response came in the 56th minute when Deepika, the tournament's leading scorer with six goals, showcased her prowess to reduce the margin at the Hockey Oman Stadium.</p>.<p>China grabbed the top position in Pool A with nine points, while India were placed second with six points, same as Malaysia.</p>.<p>India will face Thailand in their fourth and final league match on Thursday.</p>.<p>The match also saw two green cards with the Indian duo of Chanu Khaidem Shileima and Phalke Vaishnavi Vitthal being at the receiving end.</p>.<p>The defending champions had earlier registered convincing wins, thrashing Bangladesh 13-1 and Malaysia 5-0 in their first two matches of the five-team tournament.</p>.<p>The semifinals are slated for Saturday, with the final scheduled for Sunday. India had clinched the title in the last edition held in Kakamigahara, Japan, defeating South Korea 2-1 in the summit clash. </p>
<p>Muscat: Defending champions India suffered a 1-2 defeat to three-time winners China in their third match of the Women's Junior Asia Cup here on Wednesday.</p>.<p>The rematch of the 2012 final lived up to expectations, with India creating opportunities and dominating the first two quarters, but the scoreline remained goalless.</p>.<p>China shifted gears in the third quarter, with skipper Tan Jinzhuang (32nd) scoring off a penalty stroke and Wang Lihang (42nd) converting a penalty corner to give their team a decisive edge.</p>.<p>India's response came in the 56th minute when Deepika, the tournament's leading scorer with six goals, showcased her prowess to reduce the margin at the Hockey Oman Stadium.</p>.<p>China grabbed the top position in Pool A with nine points, while India were placed second with six points, same as Malaysia.</p>.<p>India will face Thailand in their fourth and final league match on Thursday.</p>.<p>The match also saw two green cards with the Indian duo of Chanu Khaidem Shileima and Phalke Vaishnavi Vitthal being at the receiving end.</p>.<p>The defending champions had earlier registered convincing wins, thrashing Bangladesh 13-1 and Malaysia 5-0 in their first two matches of the five-team tournament.</p>.<p>The semifinals are slated for Saturday, with the final scheduled for Sunday. India had clinched the title in the last edition held in Kakamigahara, Japan, defeating South Korea 2-1 in the summit clash. </p>