Fiji put in a huge defensive performance to give China, ranked 51 places above them, a huge fright before the world number 19 side eventually prevailed.

They scored two penalty corners in the last 11 minutes to get out of a sticky situation on day three of the men’s Hero Hockey World League Round Two 2013. After two double-fugure defeats, Adrian Smith’s diving touch garnered the Pacific islanders their first goal of the competition, making it 1-2 in the 55^th minute to have the side dreaming of a potential draw.

But flicks from Mi Ji and Tao Li eased China’s nerves and saw them claim their second win of the campaign having seen off Oman on day one. They hit the front 13 minutes in when they evaded three loose baseline tackles and Yanjun Su pounced on the loose ball for his second goal of the tournament, lifting over Eric Niumata.

Fiji, though, had shown they were ready for the fight, Leevan Dutta pumping an effort into the sideboard while they also earned a pair of penalty corners. China, though, were controlling most of the ball but got few shots off from play.

Su doubled their lead from a 37^th minute corner – their fourth of the game – but it was cancelled out when Fiji worked a clever switch left to Fabiano Rupeni and he reverted the ball back to player of the match Smith to guide home. China settled, though, won a couple of late set pieces and saw the win home.