MILAN, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China fell 4-2 to Canada in the Para ice hockey semifinals of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics here on Friday evening.

Locked in a tight contest from the very beginning, Canada scored two goals in the first 11 minutes before China's Zhang Zheng pulled one back at the end of the first period. Tian Jintao leveled it for China early in the second period.

In the final period, Canada found the net again and maintained the lead. China's Qiu Dianpeng was injured, causing a temporary stoppage, and after play resumed, Canada scored once more before the end.

It was the first time the two teams met in a Paralympic arena, and China achieved a better semifinal scoreline than its debut at Beijing 2022 where the hosts lost to the United States 11-0.

Canadian player Adam Dixon gave thumbs up for China after the match. "They put us under pressure with their speed and skill. They are obviously a very skilled team, and it was a tough game," he said.

Chinese athletes expressed pride in their progress though they regretted the loss. Tian Jintao, one of the goalscorers, told Xinhua that he expected a different result, but China went down fighting despite the defeat.

"The fact that we were able to pull back two goals and hold on for so long shows how much we have improved," he said, adding that Qiu's injury slightly affected the team.

"We refused to give up and we were not intimidated," Wang Zhidong said, adding that the Chinese players showed strong speed, attacking shots, and endurance.

"I will give my all in the final," Tian said.

China had defeated Germany and Italy by 12-0 and 11-1 respectively, but lost 7-1 to five-time gold medalist the U.S. in the preliminary rounds.

In the other semifinal earlier on Friday, the Americans defeated the Czech Republic 6-1 to set up the final clash against Canada on Sunday.  ■