TIANJIN, North China, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- China edged European powerhouse Sweden 2-1 in front of some 38,000 home fans in their opening match of the Olympic women's soccer tournament here on Wednesday.

Zhou Gaoping (L) of China vies with Solveig Gulbrandsen of Sweden during the Beijing Olympic Games women's football  Group E first round match in Tianjin, Olympic co-host city in north China, Aug. 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)

The Chinese Steel Roses opened the scoring in the 6th minute when striker Xu Yuan steered the ball into the empty net after midfielder Zhang Na's powerful long shot bounced off the left post.

Sweden equalized in the 38th minute when striker Lotta Schelin beat Chinese goalkeeper Zhang Yanru in a counterattack and dominated the second half with their physical advantage.

However, striker Han Duan scored in the 71st minute to seal the victory for China. The 25-year-old sent a powerful shot at the edge of the box off a pass from striking parter Xu.