Chinese women's football players pose for photos before the Beijing Olympic Games women's football Group E first round match against Sweden in Tianjin, Olympic co-host city in north China, Aug. 6, 2008. [Yang Zongyou/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 in Tianjin on Wednesday.

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.

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. [Yang Zongyou/Xinhua]

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 partner Xu.

"I really appreciate the two scorers," Chinese coach Shang Rihua said. "But I also need to thank our defenders for the hard work."

The Chinese Steel Roses edged European powerhouse Sweden 2-1 in their opening match of the Olympic women's soccer tournament in Tianjin on Wednesday, August 6, 2008. [sina.com]

"The home fans gave us great support," Shang said. "Maybe that is why so many countries would like to host Olympics."

Sweden coach Thomas Dennelby was disappointed at the loss, but believed his team could still advance to the quarterfinals.

"I will forget the game quickly," he said. "I think we still have good chance to reach the knock-out stage."

"Our performance is good in the first 75 minutes," he said. "But we made some mistakes."