WATCH LIVE: Japan Looks to Keep Alive Final 6 Hopes Against Russia

2017 FIVB VOLLEYBALL WORLD GRAND PRIX – GROUP 1

• Group 1, Pool G1
• July 22nd
• Hong Kong, China
• Group 1, Week 3
• Schedule/Results

It’s no guarantee that a win puts Japan into the top six, but it is a certainty that a loss keeps them from the playoff round. Beyond that, the winner will also finish second in Pool G1 to close out pool play.

After falling to China two days ago, Japan scored a huge upset in a five-set victory over Serbia. The win keeps Japan alive, with a 5-3 record overall. They still are on the outside-looking-in, as they rank seventh in the Group 1 table, but with a win in this one, they’d need just one of Netherlands, Brazil or China to falter today.

Russia doesn’t have a chance to vault into the top six, but they can still play the role of spoiler. They’re 3-5 overall after a win yesterday, so they’re not in position to be relegated either, making this match one for pride. It also could be an opportunity to utilize many of the young players.

Japan has to accomplish something they haven’t in its last four tries – defeat Russia – if they want a possibility of making the final six. They need more to go right, but every scenario starts with victory for the Asian side.

Watch the full live video below:

Editor’s note: Video not made available in the United States. If you are not in the United States, but an error in YouTube’s geolocation service is still blocking your access, you can use a program like TunnelBear to redirect to the proper country.