Vietnam tied with Italy in their first Group C match at the World National Team Championship 3-Cushion tournament in Germany on Mar 1.

Ma Xuan Cuong, world No 29, easily beat world No 221 Cortese Fabrizio 15-9, 15-9 while world No 35 Duong Anh Vu surprisingly lost to world No 44 Siacca Emilio 14-15, 14-15.

With this result, Vietnam holds little advantage in progressing to the semifinals. The players will next meet defending world runner-up Belgium .

The tournament will last until Mar.4./.