Japan and China beat separate rivals Tuesday in the second round action of the 2013 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, to top their respective groups going into the knockout rounds.

Both powerhouse teams are considered the tournament favourites to win the Asian crown, and they are proving the hype so far. China dismantled South Korea in straight sets, 25-22, 25-14, 25-17 and Japan handled Kazakhstan in four sets, 25-15, 25-15, 24-26, 25-12.

Japan is ranked 3rd in the FIVB world rankings and China is ranked 5th.

READ ALSO: 2013 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship Finals Preview – Japan vs. Thailand Live Streaming

With the wins, the 12-time Asian champs will get the first seed in Pool F and Japan in Pool E. For topping their groups, China is paired with Vietnam and Japan with Iran in the do-or-die quarterfinal games.

Other second round matches also featured straight sets wins. Chinese Taipei defeated Iran, 25-18, 25-15, 25-14 while Thailand beat Vietnam, 25-11, 25-15, 25-15.

This completes the quarterfinal draw as Chinese Taipei faces Thailand, and South Korea takes on Kazakhstan in the next round.

These countries are still vying for berths in the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in November 2013 and the FIVB World Grand Prix in 2014.

2013 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship – Second Round Scores

China def. South Korea, 25-22, 25-14, 25-17
Japan def. Kazakhstan, 25-15, 25-15, 24-26, 25-12
Chinese Taipei def. Iran, 25-18, 25-15, 25-14
Thailand def. Vietnam, 25-11, 25-15, 25-15

2013 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship – Classification Round Scores

Mongolia def. Hong Kong, 25-16, 23-25, 25-22, 25-17
Australia def. Indonesia, 23-25, 30-28, 25-14, 25-18
Philippines vs. Myanmar, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18
India def. Sri Lanka, 25-13, 25-15, 25-19