Lucky draw for Italy? They are easily the best team in this tournament. If they could not finish in the top 3, then the team's quality would have dropped severely.
Korea's remaining draw is very favorable Thailand, DR and Peru. One more win they are at 12 points and all but guarantee at least Asian berth and probable top 3.
Japan must win against Thailand today. Just watched the Japanese video highlights. Saori Kimura may have a broken finger or hand (left after 2nd set against Korea) due to a ball bounce of a double block. She had ice on her hand when off court.
Koga is still learning to play at a high level and her numbers show it. Ishii has played well, I think she should start in stead of Koga. Nagaoka has continued to improve. Miyashita I think is doing a good job setting, but Japan is notorious for not going to the middle enough even though their numbers with Araki and Shimamura are good.
Korea is just killing teams on serve. 3 players in the top 10 and those 3 are getting you a combined 1.3 aces a set? We only have to win by 2, I like my odds.
Netherlands need a little help to get in, a win over Italy or Japan may get them in, but with both teams still in front of them on the schedule they have got to keep winning.
Peru does not have a good schedule remaining Korea, Netherlands, Thailand to finish. Need to win them all and get a little help.
Thailand are in an odd spot, they need to win, but if Japan and Korea keep winning and stay in the top 3, then they'll get in if they finish ahead of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan are all but dead with 3 matches left. If they lose to Thailand they are all but eliminated.
DR loss today means that they are eliminated.