Danny Kerry thinks all Great Britain were missing was a hint of luck as his side were held to a 1-1 draw by China in their second outing at the Hockey World League Finals in Rosario.
The Brits started their competition with a defeat to hosts Argentina and were unable to register their first win after a frustrating second encounter on Sunday.
It was a landmark day for two of Britain’s finest with Kate Richardson-Walsh making her 350th international appearance while Alex Danson collected her 250th cap.
Helen Richardson-Walsh opened the scoring for Britain after 34 minutes as she deflected a pass into the roof of the net.
But a stubborn China fought back immediately and, a minute later, the match was level as Mengyu Wang netted.
Kerry’s troops fought for the all-important winner but it never arrived meaning they will take on Australia in their final Pool B match without a win to their name.
"I thought the Chinese goal was just jinxed, the ball just wouldn't go in tonight,” aid Kerry. “A lot of those chances would normally have gone in. We needed just an element of luck.
“Apart from a five minute period we absolutely controlled the game. China play a low risk defensive strategy and ironically the goal came when two of our players collided so we were a defender light.
“It was a game where we had lots of chances and given how deep China sat, it was always going to take a bit extra. I was proud of the team, they stuck at what we had to do and so on the whole I’m pretty pleased.
“Yesterday we weren't allowed to play. We were stopped by some good defending and we needed to be stronger. We wanted to play, we just weren't allowed to.
“Australia will want to play more hockey than China so it will be interesting and we are really looking forward to it."
Sportsbeat 2015