SHENZHEN - Host China secured a crucial 2-1 comeback victory over the Netherlands at the 2025 IIHF Women's Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A on Wednesday, marking its first win of the tournament and a vital step in the fight to avoid relegation.

Heading into the match, both China and the Netherlands were the only two teams in the group without a win. According to the rules, the team at the bottom of the standings will be relegated to Division I Group B next year, making this match a high-stakes "must-win" battle for both sides.

China's remaining opponents include Austria, who currently tops the standings with three consecutive victories, and France, who has already secured two wins. Given the tough road ahead, a win over the Netherlands was essential for China to keep its hope of staying in the division alive.

The match began with both teams trading attacking chances. In the third minute, the Netherlands executed a well-coordinated play as Kimberly Collard capitalized with a rebound goal that slipped under the legs of Chinese goalkeeper Zhan Jiahui, giving the Dutch a 1-0 lead.

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"We did concede pretty early, but it didn't affect us much mentally," said China's Zhang Mengying. "Once we started playing, we could feel that the Netherlands was not as tough as previous opponents, so we were confident we could turn things around."

In the final minute of the second period, China launched a decisive offensive push. Wang Jiaxin and Kong Minghui set up a key scoring chance, and Qu Yue found the net in a scramble in front of the goal to tie the match at 1-1.

Early in the third period, Dutch player Jet Milders was penalized for hooking Zhang on her breakaway. China was awarded a penalty shot, which Zhang calmly converted to put China ahead 2-1. The home team then held firm on defense to maintain its lead until the final whistle.

"Our defense is getting better and better," Zhang said. "I hope this win becomes a turning point for us and boosts the team's confidence going forward."

Earlier on Wednesday, Austria edged Slovakia 3-2 in a comeback win, while France defeated Denmark 2-1.

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China is set to face France on Thursday, while Denmark will meet Slovakia, and Austria will take on the Netherlands.