Li Yongzhen (C) of China spikes during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

CHICAGO, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese team lost 3-0 to Canada in the 2025 Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Chicago leg on Sunday.

In the first set, the two teams were tied from 1-1 to 12-12 before Canada pulled away with five straight points to lead 17-12. China closed the gap to 20-21 with blocks from Zhang Zhejia and Li Yongzhen and powerful attacks by Jiang Chuan. However, Canada held on to take the set 25-23 with strong serving and offense.

China fell behind 4-7 in the second set but responded with four straight points to lead 8-7. The teams stayed close until 16-16, when Canada pulled ahead to win 25-20. China committed more errors, saw a drop in offensive efficiency, and struggled to contain Canada's momentum.

In the third set, China trailed 6-1 early but narrowed the gap to 8-7 before losing steam. Led by captain Jiang Chuan, the team rallied to 19-17, but Canada held on to win the set 25-23 and seal the match.

Zhang Jingyin missed the match due to a knee injury, while Jiang Chuan returned to the starting lineup. China had opportunities to tie or take the lead in both the first and third sets but fell short in key moments.

The team continues to face challenges with first-pass stability, quick-attack execution from middle blockers, and setter variation.

Ranked 11th in the world, Canada holds a clear advantage over 24th-ranked China. This latest defeat marks China's fourth straight loss to Canada, compounding a psychological disadvantage.

Jiang expressed his frustration. "Losing four matches in the Chicago leg is a wake-up call. We need to change some things in the next leg and strive for better performance," he said.

"We didn't play our best match. One or two players did a good job, a lot of players could not bring what they can do," said China's Belgian head coach Vital Heynen. "But (for sports) sometimes you don't play as good as you are. We have to accept."

"Seeing our whole situation, injuries, putting players coming back, some players have to take a lot of loads who are not used to do that, and cannot always bring that, that's normal," Heynen said. "I blame myself and the team, like we together are not good enough."

"I think every match is so difficult for us. So we will try next week to win at least one match, to have at least a good ending of this VNL."

Five national teams from China, the United States, Brazil, Italy and Canada competed in the Chicago leg of the 2025 VNL. China lost all four of its matches.

The VNL group stage spans three weeks, with Chicago hosting the second week. The third week will take place in Gdansk, Poland; Ljubljana, Slovenia; and the Kanto region of Japan. The finals are scheduled for July 30 to August 3 in Ningbo Beilun, east China's Zhejiang Province. ■

Players of China celebrate a point during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Yu Yaochen (Top) of China makes a dig during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Jiang Chuan (R) of China spikes during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Yu Yaochen of China makes a dig during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Wang Bin of China spikes during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Ji Daoshuai of China makes a save during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Jiang Chuan of China spikes during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Li Yongzhen (Top L) and Yu Yuantai (2nd R) of China team up on a block during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Jiang Chuan (L) of China celebrates a point during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Qu Zongshuai of China makes a save during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Jiang Chuan of China prepares to spike during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)