The world's top team Brazil powered past China in a five-set thriller at the ongoing women's volleyball World Cup on Friday.

China saved two match points in the last set but it was Brazil who was triumphant. The score of the five sets are 23-25, 27-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-17.

"I think the team did really well in the whole match, we played better than against Italy, especially our service," said Chinese coach Yu Juemin. "We tried to target player number seven (Marianne Steinbrecher) and I think it worked well."

China came to the game slow, losing five points at the outset of the first set. But they pulled back from 8-16, ending only two points less.

China maintained their form in the second and third games. Their serve reception improved and they blocked much better than in the first set.

In the fourth set, Brazil substituted Sassa (Welissa Gonzaga) for Steinbrecher in a bid to strengthen reception, which worked well. Brazil won the last two sets.

"The game was close throughout. We took the first set, the second and third they won and had rhythm. In the fourth I brought out Sassa, who played well in service reception, it really helped out spiking," said Brazilian coach Jose Guimaraes.

"Our service was not so good against China, but we aim to improve it tomorrow vs Italy and we hope we can play our best," Guimaraes said.