SYDNEY,(Australia) Dec 7: Australia scored in the first 20 seconds and twice more in the opening 15 minutes, then hung on for a 3-2 win over China in the gold medal final at the Champions Trophy women’s field hockey tournament on Sunday.

Earlier, the Netherlands beat World Cup champions Argentina 3-2 for the bronze medal and England defeated South Korea 4-2 in a penalty shootout for fifth place after the teams were tied 2-2 after extra time.

Julie Towers scored with 20 seconds gone, Suzie Faulkner on a penalty corner in the 12th minute and Peta Gallagher at 15:16 to give Australia its

early lead over the defending champions. Fu Baorong scored in the 44th minute and Li Shuang in the 65th to pull China close.—AP