Team China shooting for the stars

With the clock ticking on a desperate mission to shine at home during the 2022 Winter Olympics, China's women's hockey team is focusing on speed and defense in a bid to be competitive against the world's best.

Although Team China managed to squeak out a 1-0 victory over Poland in Wednesday's exhibition game ahead of the International Ice Hockey Federation's third-tier (Div 1 Group B) world championships, the host's triumph was marred by sloppy passing and poor stickhandling.

The six-team tournament opens on Saturday with China hosting Latvia at west Beijing's Shougang Ice Hockey Arena.