Volleyball: Undefeated U.S. women outplay Japan

2016 Rio Olympics - Volleyball - Women's Quarterfinals - Japan v USA - Maracanazinho - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 16/08/2016. Rachael Adams (USA) of USA spikes the ball against Haruyo Shimamura (JPN) of Japan (L) and Haruka Miyashita (JPN) of Japan. REUTERS/Yves Herman

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - The U.S. women's volleyball team crushed Japan in straight sets on Tuesday to stay undefeated and boost their hopes of a first Olympic gold medal.

Victory against either Russia or Serbia in the semi-finals would set up a probable final against favourites Brazil, who have beaten them in the past two Olympics.

United States eliminated Japan 25-16, 25-23, 25-22. Brazil play China later on Tuesday.

Earlier, Netherlands sent South Korea home in four sets. The Dutch team's coach Giovanni Guidetti saluted his side for not losing confidence in a tough third set, adding that it proved they could make the final.

"This team now believe they can win against every team in the world. They believe in their power and they believe in themselves," he said after the match.

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle, editing by Neil Robinson)