Elin Holmlov and Erika Holst scored two goals separately as Sweden defeated China 6-1 on Sunday in the preliminary round of the women's world hockey championships.

Sweden, the 2006 Olympic silver medalists, will play Canada on Monday for a place in the second round from Group B.

Canada crushed China 13-1 Saturday.

The Canadians, nine-time champions, are attempting to reclaim a world title they lost to the United States last year in Harbin, China.

In other games on Sunday, Russia beat Japan 3-1 in Group A and Kazakhstan edged Switzerland 2-1 in Group C.

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2009)