China's national women's volleyball team, mainly comprising of substitute players, lost to Japan at the ongoing Volleyball Nations League in Rimini, Italy, on Wednesday. 

Lacking skilled coordination among players, reigning Olympic champion China lost to Japan's Olympic squad in three sets, 13-25, 19-25 and 17-25. 

Japan's Mayu Ishikawa and Ai Kurogo scored 18 and 17 points respectively. China's Liu Yanhan and Wang Yuanyuan grabbed 16 points together.

Led by iconic head coach Lang Ping, the Chinese squad is without ace players Zhu Ting and Yuan Xinyue in the first stage of the tournament, in an aim to nurture young players. 

"We want the young players to have the opportunity of hands-on international experience before major games. We will dispatch out main draw in the later stage of the game," Lang Ping said ahead of the Nations League. 

Earlier this month, China swept their Japanese counterparts 3-0 at the Tokyo Olympic test event in Tokyo. 

Also on Wednesday, Serbia beat Poland in a highly anticipated match with a score of 3-1 (20-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-21). Russia outlasted Belgium 3-2 (23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19, 15-8) after losing the first two sets to pull off the three-set comeback. 

Meanwhile, Germany overcame the Netherlands 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 28-30, 25-23, 15-12); South Korea beat Thailand 3-1 (15-25, 25-13, 25-18, 25-17); Brazil eased past the Dominican Republic 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-17); the United States defeated Canada 3-0 (26-24, 25-15, 25-10), and Turkey smashed host Italy 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-16).

Sixteen teams, including China, United States, Brazil, Italy, Russia, Netherlands and Japan, are competing in the women's competition, which takes place till June 26.

China are set to play against Thailand later on Thursday. 

(With input from Xinhua)