"It's the third game in a row where we've said the same thing," said coach Tony Readings.
"The performances we've put in haven't got the results we deserve. We've underachieved but we haven't underperformed.
"Football is such a close game - a referee decision or a ball bouncing the wrong way can make all the difference.
"But we need to be better so that these things go in our favour," Readings said.
Yesterday was unfortunate and the Ferns were definitely dudded by the referee's penalty call.
They will also rue conceding a poor second goal, where a moment's indecision by goalkeeper Erin Nayler proved fatal.
But they had left themselves on a knife edge after the first two games; against Holland they failed to create many meaningful chances and versus Canada they were better but couldn't take their opportunities, including a penalty.
Yesterday was a frustrating day. They played their best football of the tournament -- and scored two impressive goals -- but that wasn't enough.
In front of a crowd laden with vocal Chinese support, Rebecca Stott broke the Ferns' goal drought at this tournament in the 28th minute, the defender blasting home a half-volley from a corner.
However the lead was short lived, with China gifted a penalty in the 41st minute, for an alleged hand ball by midfielder Betsy Hassett.
It was a poor decision by Hungarian referee Katalin Kulcsar, as the ball struck the chest and made no contact with her hands and arms.
It's always difficult for referees -- who have to make judgments in a split second -- but Kulcsar should have done better; she has been an international referee for more than a decade and if there is any doubt, penalties should not be given.
It was rough luck for the Ferns, but it got worse with China's second goal just after the hour mark, as Shanshan Wang beat Nayler to a long cross-field ball.
It was a courageous header by Wang but Nayler should have done better.
The Ferns rebounded three minutes later, with Ali Riley's deep cross headed back across goal by Amber Hearn, before being expertly tucked away by Hannah Wilkinson.
There were further chances for both teams -- with Abby Erceg desperately close with a header.
The Ferns were also frustrated by deliberate time-wasting and gamesmanship by the opposition in the closing minutes, which eventually saw the Chinese coach sent off for interference in added time by handling the ball on the touchline on a Ferns' throw-in in the final minutes.
