The Aussie Belles have upset the reigning world champions to give themselves the best chance of progressing to the women's goalball quarter-finals at the Tokyo Paralympics.
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Australia, including East Maitland's Brodie Smith, defeated Russia 4-1 at Makuhari Messe Hall on Sunday night to finish the preliminary stages with a 2-2 record.
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This result meant they avoided automatic elimination and puts them on level pegging with both Russia and Israel (2-2).
However, the deciding factor will be Monday's last round between China (2-1) and Canada (1-2) from 3:45pm (AEST).
If China wins, Australia will finish fourth in group C and make the top eight for the first time.
If Canada wins, Australia will finish fifth and drop out of the tournament. In this scenario all teams would have the same amount of competition points, but rankings would be based on goal difference.
The Aussie Belles (-12) have the worst for-and-against record following an 11-1 opening loss to Israel, 6-0 loss to China and 4-3 win over Canada.
"Russia's incredible. They're a great team. But you know what, we're a great team. We deserve to be here," three-time Games representative Jenny Blow told Paralympic Australia media.
"If the results tomorrow don't go our way and we don't make it, we can't control that - and that's been our message the whole way through. We can only control what we can do and we just controlled it by winning that game."
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