Yang Hao of China spikes the ball during a pool F second round match against Brazil at the women's volleyball world championships in Osaka, Japan on Nov. 9, 2006. China lost to Brazil 2-3. (Xinhua Photo)

China suffered a 3-2 defeat to arch-rival Brazil at the Women's Volleyball World Championship Thursday in Japan. The loss buries China's hope of entering the semi-finals of the tournament.

Athens Olympic champion China squandered a two-set advantage to lose 24-26, 20-25, 25-21, 25-16 and finally 19-17 in a marathon match that lasted over two hours.

Losing to Russia and Germany in the first stage of the competition, the Chinese team needed to beat all its rivals in the second stage to secure a berth in the last four.

Brazil took the upper-hand in the first set, leading 22-19. But Yang Hao helped China tie the score through two services. And with Xu Yunli and Wang Yimei continuing to score, China finally won at 26-24.

The Chinese team continued their winning momentum, taking the second set 25-20.

The Brazilian women proved their world champion credentials in the following two sets, winning back to back 25-21 and 25-16.

The two teams fought for the lead in the decisive fifth set. And it seemed that China would win as the team took an early advantage at 15-14. But then the Chinese women wasted two match points, finally handing over victory to Brazil.

The Chinese team will face Puerto Rico in their next match tomorrow afternoon.

Editor: Donald