New Zealand must beat Brazil tomorrow to stay in the hunt, and the same applies in the other game, between Kazakhstan and Japan.
The US swamped Japan, an 8-0 second quarter sealing the match as a contest. Kameryn Craig's six goals were the individual highlight.
Canada were 6-0 up over Kazakhstan at halftime with the second spell more even. Christine Robinson, with three goals, was the pick of the Canadian attackers.
New Zealand rattled the Chinese early, leading 3-2 after the first quarter.
However world No 2 China reasserted themselves to dominate the last three periods, with Zihan Zhao, Cong Zhang and Guannan Nui each bagging three goals.
Jasmine Myles scored three for New Zealand, with Hannah Klein, Emma Stoneman and Liana Dance getting the others.
"The first quarter was really strong, and our defence was very good in the first half," Myles said. ''But the third quarter they kind of got away from us."
Australia were 12-3 up over Brazil at halftime, with seven players sharing the goals.