RFU took an early lead in the second minute thanks to a well-taken goal by Yury Krasheninnikov.

The "neutral" team from the host nation quickly doubled their lead at Moscow's at the Luzhniki Beach Soccer Stadium through Boris Nikonorov before Noel Ott swiftly replied with a powerful free-kick to make the score 2-1 after the first period.

Andrey Kotenov restored his side's two-goal cushion until the Swiss scored three unanswered goals through Glenn Hodel and Dejan Stankovic to end the second period 4-3 up.

Chaos ensued in the third period as Switzerland's Michael Misev saw red and a minute later Russia's Kirill Romanov was also sent off and simultaneously conceded a penalty, which Hodel slotted away.

Nikonorov secured his brace in the 35^th minute and then 19 seconds before the referee brought an end to the game, Anton Shkarin scored the equaliser to send the game added time.

That was goalless, so penalties followed.

The RFU won the shootout as Tobias Steinemann saw his crucial spot kick saved.

Despite taking 15 minutes to draw first blood, Japan eventually came away with a routine 5-2 victory thanks to a hat-trick from Takuya Akaguma in heir last-four tie with giant-killing Senegal.

Senegal's captain Babacar Fall had a chance from the penalty spot to give his side a lifeline but fluffed his lines as the African champions were condemned to defeat.

Tomorrow Switzerland will play Senegal in the third place playoff before RFU take on Japan in the main event in Moscow.