The fight to determine Asia's sole entry to Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 in England in 2010 is now down to just two teams after the opening day of qualifying matches in Singapore.
Kazakhstan, Asia's only representative in the 2006 tournament in Canada, overwhelmed Hong Kong 58-14 after Japan, the second seeds, had eased past Singapore 35-11 at the Republic Polytechnic.
Japan will once again therefore face Kazakhstan, the side who ended their hopes of qualifying four years ago, for the 12th and final place in the Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 field in England.
The winner will take their place alongside three-time defending champions New Zealand, hosts and 2006 runners up England, bronze medallists France, Canada, South Africa, USA, Wales, Ireland, Sweden, Scotland and Australia for the 20 August to 5 September event.
Japan came racing out of the blocks and into a 10-0 advantage in as many minutes after from wing Fumiko Naotsuka and fly half Ayaka Suzuki.
Singapore doubled their efforts to try and close the gap, their reward coming in the 25th minute when fly half Eunice Tay Gek Sie kicked a penalty, only for lock and New South Wales player Haruka Takahashi to score Japan's third try to make it 15-3 at half time.
The hosts again came out fighting again with captain Wang Shao-Feng kicking a penalty within minutes of the restart. However, once again Japan crossed the try-line again with a second for Naotsuka.
Four-try star Sherer
Priscilla Humphries cut the deficit to 20-11 with a 65th minute try, but Japan's greater experience told and Suzuki and Naotsuka touching down again, the latter to complete her hat-trick.
After this entertaining opener, it was time for Kazakhstan and fourth seeds Hong Kong to take centre stage with the top seeds hoping to qualify for the Women's Rugby World Cup for the chance to better their 11th place finish in 2006.
Living up to their billing as favourites, Kazakhstan raced into a 14-0 lead inside six minutes with wings Natalya Yessembekova and Lyudmila Sherer touching down. This was the first of four tries for Sherer, the other three coming in the second half.
Picking themselves up, Hong Kong marched methodically back up the field and their efforts paid off when fly half Fiona Foxon plunged over from quickly recycled ruck ball five metres out from the Kazakh line.
The conversion went astray and Kazakhstan re-established their advantage when flanker Irina Radzivil touched down. Hong Kong full back Man Po Kei kicked a penalty, but Kazakhstan went in leading 24-8 at half time after fly half Tatyana Tur scored her side's fourth try.
Kazakhstan raced away in the second half with four further tries - three of them by Sherer - to set up the winner takes all showdown with Japan on Friday at The Padang. Hong Kong and Singapore will meet in the third placed play-off on the same day.