With the top two countries at the end of the 12-team round robin earning a place at next summer's Olympics, the US and the world champion Poles have been untouchable so far in host country Japan.

It is the US who currently lead the way due to a better sets and points ratio and they gained their eighth win by seeing off winless Tunisia 3-0 in Osaka.

They came through 25-14, 25-19, 29-27 while in Toyama, Poland saw off Australia with another straight sets win, 25-15, 25-22, 25-17.

The two countries will now meet in the next round of games in Tokyo in what promises to be a mouthwatering clash.

Both are being pressured in the race for Rio by Italy and Russia, who each have records of won seven, lost one.

The third placed Russians kept up their fine start to the tournament by seeing off African champions Egypt, who like continental rivals Tunisia have lost every game, 25-20, 26-24, 25-18.

Italy were too strong for Venezuela, 25-16, 25-22, 25-18, while fifth placed Argentina, who have won six and lost two, are still in the frame but needed four sets to beat Canada 25-21, 23-25, 29-27, 25-22.

Hosts Japan suffered a blow though as they slipped to a third defeat in the competition after surrendering a two-set lead to lose to Iran.

The Iranians eventually took the contest 22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-21, 15-12.

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