Great Britain Women were beaten 5-4 by Netherlands in their opening game at the World Championship (Division 2A) tournament in Korea.

GB fought back from 3-1 down to tie the game at 3-3 in the second period, but ultimately came up short.

Julie Zwarthoed put Netherlands ahead after only 31 seconds for the only goal of the first session.

Bieke van Nes made it 2-0 in the 27th minute, before Katie Marsden broke into the Netherlands zone to close the soon after.

Kayleigh Hamers restored Netherlands two-goal advantage after 31 minutes, but Marsden quickly bagged her second of the game to make it 3-2.

Nicole Jackson produced a fine pad save to deny Hamers on a penalty shot, before GB captain Leanne Ganney cut inside and fired in GB’s equaliser off the bar in the 35th minute.

Van Nes scored her second of the game just before the break and Hilde Huisman effectively sealed victory with a goal six minutes into the third period.

Kim Lane closed the gap to one late on, GB were unable to exert any pressure in the closing 90 seconds.

Assistant Coach James Ashton said: “We are very disappointed – we did a lot of hard work in the training sessions and played games before we came out here.

“For whatever reason defensively we didn’t do what we normally do. You can’t win a game if you play poorly defensively.

“I think some of the players were nervous and I don’t think it is anything more. I don’t think anyone was jet-lagged or tired.”

GB return to action tomorrow against hosts Korea (1.00pm UK time).

(Image permission: Karl Denham)