 Cullen ensured England got off to a winning start |
England began their World Cup campaign with an impressive 3-2 group victory over fifth seeds China in Madrid. Alex Danson put ninth-seeded England ahead from a goalmouth scramble but Ma Yi Bo levelled for the Chinese.
Lucilla Wright gave England a half-time lead but they were pegged back again five minutes after the break when Ren Ye deflected the ball past Beth Storry.
With China down to 10 players, Christa Cullen struck the winning goal from a 55th-minute penalty corner.
Coach Danny Kerry said: "China are one of the world's best teams and they wanted to come out and attack - and that suited what we wanted to do.
"It was good to get our tournament up and running."
Kerry's side, who won Commonwealth bronze in March, face favourites the Netherlands on Friday before tackling Olympic champions Germany, hosts Spain and Commonwealth silver medallists India.
In Wednesday's other matches in Pool A, top seeds the Netherlands beat India 3-2, and Spain handed Germany a 2-1 defeat.
In Pool B, Korea defeated Japan 2-1, Australia edged South Africa 1-0, and Argentina began their title defence by beating the USA 2-1.
The top two sides from each group qualify for the semi-finals.
England: Storry, Wooding, Cullen, Clewlow, Grant, Richardson, Wright, Walsh, Bimson, Herbert, Williams.
Substitutes: Ellis (Doncaster), Rogers, Walker, Danson, Ellis (Ipswich).
Did not play: Roberts, Walton.
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