England women saw a two-goal lead collapse as they lost 8-2 to Belgium on Thursday in the final game of the China leg of the Pro League in Hangzhou.
David Ralph’s inexperienced England side started on the back-foot, with Sophie Hamilton forced to clear off the line from Astrid Bonami after her wayward pass had put goalkeeper Miriam Pritchard under pressure.
But they took the lead late in the first quarter when Megan Crowson scored from just inside the D following a rebound.
Millie Giglio doubled the lead midway through the second quarter after Martha Taylor earned a penalty corner with some superb play.
Belgium’s recovery began late in the first half as they pulled a goal back through a deflected Vanessa Blockmans strike from a penalty corner, before Justine Rasir drew her side level early in the third quarter.
Belgium completed the turnaround when Stephanie Vanden Borre slammed home from another penalty corner, before Bonami converted a rebound from close range.
Lisa Moors fired through the legs of Pritchard for a fifth before Charlotte Englebert and Vanden Borre ramped up the score in the final minutes.
A third straight loss for England leaves them with a record of one win and three defeats.
England beat Belgium 3-1 in their opening game before suffering back-to-back losses to Olympic silver medalists China.
Ralph’s side will return to Pro League action against India in Bhubaneswar on 15 February.
