Zhu Ting (No.2) of Team China and Ding Xia (No.16) celebrate a point against Team United States during the women's preliminary - Pool B volleyball on Day 4 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: VCG

The Chinese women's volleyball team suffered a third consecutive defeat on Thursday by 4-1 to the Russian Olympic Committee team, putting their title defense campaign in jeopardy. 

The defending champions were at one point close to victory when they led 25-24 in the fourth set, but failed to fend off a late surge by the Russian team.

"We had a chance to take the game," Chinese team head coach Lang Ping told reporters. "But neither our blocks nor attacks were ideal." 

Captain Zhu Ting is still battling against her wrist injury. The outside spiker only scored 17 points in Thursday's match.

"I didn't expect her injury to be so serious. I'm not sure if she can continue to play in the next match," Lang said of Zhu's injury. "I have to dispatch whichever players are in healthy condition."

China will take on Italy on Saturday, a match that is likely to decide the defending champions' future at the Olympics. If it is a defeat, it will end China's hopes of qualifying for the next round.

Li Yingying, who scored a team-high 27 points on Thursday, said coach Lang has asked the players to "keep their heads up" even though the team's hopes look dim.

"Italy are much stronger than Russia," Lang said of the next match. 

"The players are no longer troubled by pressure. But they need to be more determined."