Hosts China earned a flying start in the goalball preliminaries of the Beijing Paralympics as the debutants in both men's and women's teams struck wins at the Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium on Sunday.

As for the 5-3 win over Brazil, Chinese women's head coach Shao Baolin said, "We win the game, but we did not perform well."

"The first game is very important and we must play step by step, but we have confidence in our victory," said Shao, adding that the first win was a great encouragement for them.

"The ball is round, so the tournament is full of suspense. I dare not to make any predictions until the end," Shao told Xinhua, refusing to make more comments on their target at the Paralympics.

Facing Athens bronze medalists the United States, the Chinese men showed their power with skillful tactics and stable display. China came back from 3-2 down to score 11 consecutive goals, which set up their win with a wide margin.

"I'm very happy that we win the first match," said the key player Chen Liangliang. "Our aim is to win a medal. I will take every match in the next days as serious as the first, and show our best level."

Defending champions Canada tied 3-3 with Sweden in the women's tournament and reigning Athens titlists Denmark tied 2-2 with Spain in the men's Pool A match.

In the other women's preliminaries, Athens silver medalists the United States played a quite close match with Japan. The two goals in the last minute saved the Americans and helped them win 2-0 over Japan. Denmark beat Germany 4-1.

On the men's side, Athens silver medalists Sweden defeated Brazil 8-6 and Canada downed Iran 9-5 in Pool B. In Pool A matches, Lithuania, Sydney silver medalists, powered past Belgium 9-5 and Slovenia crashed Finland 7-2.

The Chinese men's team will next confront Sweden and the women's team will take on Germany.

In the Paralympics, goalball is open to athletes with a visual impairment.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2008)