Han Duan scored twice as hosts China struggled past Korea Republic with a 3-2 comeback victory on the first day of the East Asian Women's Championship on Monday.

It was sweet revenge for China, who bowed 2-0 to the South Koreans in the inaugural women's sub-continental cup in 2005. China and Japan stood on top of the table of the four-nation round robin with three points each. Japan stunned Asian No1 Korea DPR 3-2 earlier on Monday.

Han scored in a goalmouth scramble after a free kick on the stroke of the half-time to put the hosts up 1-0 before roaring home supporters at the Yongchuan Stadium. However, Park Hee-Young banged in a cross from Cha Yun-Hee with his right foot on a counter-attack on the hour mark.

Park scored another from inside the box seven minutes later as the visitors surged ahead to a 2-1 lead.

Xu Yuan came close to equalising on 70 minutes as she dribbled in to face South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jung-Mi one-on-one only to direct her shot straight into Kim's gloves. Han struck again with a 79-minute equaliser.

Xu's attacking effort paid off when she headed in a rebound off the bar three minutes before the end.