Belgrade: China are facing relegation fears after suffering the fourth straight defeat by losing 3-2 to Australia on Saturday at the 2019 IHHF ice hockey men’s world championships Division II Group A. China, who are bottom of the standings in the six-team Group A, need to defeat Belgium in the last round to avoid relegation. Chen Ling scored the opener for China in the second period before group leaders Australia levelled the score 24 seconds later by Wehebe Darge. China hit back as Zhang Zesen regained the lead to head into the third. After Australia evened the score at the third period 2-2, China were too eager to strike back, conceding another goal as two players were fouled out. In Saturday’s two other games, Croatia edged Spain 4-3, while Serbia beat Belgium 6-3. (UNI)
