Chinese player You Jia (R) celebrates with teammates after she scored a goal against Sweden during the four-nation women's soccer tournament in Chongqing, Jan 23, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

YONGCHUAN, Chongqing- Hosts China claimed the first victory at the four-nation women's soccer tournament here on Sunday after beating Sweden 2-1, while world No 1 the United States beat Canada 2-1.

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Compared with world No 4 Sweden, China, ranked the 11th, has disadvantage in speed and strength. The hosts was once 1-0 behind, but the team managed to come from behind to win the match.

"It's a very good match," said Li Xiaopeng, coach of the Chinese women's soccer team. "We won the match after 1-0 behind. Every player did a good job today."

"We beat a world top team today, and it is a real victory since I have taken over the team," he added.

Sweden made their first shooting attempt in the second minute, but Antonia Goransson's try was rejected by in-form Chinese goalkeeper Zhang Yue.

Sweden opened the scoring in the 15th minute as Johanna Almgran cut in and made a fine pass to Josefine Oqvist, the latter scored by a sharp-angled shot.

China made an equalizer in the 32nd minute thanks to Swede Lina Nilsson's own goal as she made an error when trying to clear Gu Yasha's free kick.

Sweden then launched several attacks but missed a good chance in the 35th minute as Josefine Oqvist's shot flew over the crossbar.

You Jia made a try in the 41st minute but her tight-angled shot was denied by Sweden goalkeeper Kristin Hammarstrom.

The hosts gradually found the pace in the second half. They launched more attacks than they did in the first half.

Their effort got paid in the 61st minute when You enlarged the lead with a powerful shot from Qu Shanshan's free kick.

The Chinese team were encouraged by the lead and played better and better, while Sweden faded away.

China lost a good chance in the stoppage time when Qu Shanshan's shot went just narrowly higher.

"I'm fine with the result," said Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby. "The Chinese team have good tactics and they performed so well today."

In the other match, the US showed their strength by beading world No 9 Canada 2-1.

"I am happy with the result," said Pia Sundhage, coach of the US team. "Our players improved a lot in the second half."

The two sides suffered a slow start and the US team waited until the 53rd minute to open the scoring by Lauren Cheney's sharp-angled shot in the area.

Canada made it equal two minutes later by Melissa Tancredi's powerful shot after a solo run.

The US team sealed the victory in the 70th minute by Lindsey Tarpley's long-range shot.

Tuesday will saw China play with the US while Canada will take on Sweden.