The final game of the round robin at the world championships may yet be the biggest.

Australia and the USA will square off in today’s feature game at 7:30 with both teams’ playoff hopes riding on the outcome.

Japan will also be scoreboard watching during their game vs. the Czech Republic at 6:30 as they hope to squeak into fourth spot.

Japan’s win over Canada last night put them in a three-way tie for third with Australia and the USA at 5-3.

Only the top four teams qualify for the championship round.

Australia downed the Czech Republic 4-2 last night to record their third straight win.

In a must-win game against the Czechs, the Aussies jumped out to the lead after Kieran O’Leary and Hayden Mathews scored on two wild pitches in the top of the third inning.

Mason Rossi homered in the fourth and it was 3-0 for the Colts before the Czech Republic bats got going.

Patrik Kopecny drove in a run and scored two plays later to bring the Czechs within one after five, but that was as close as they would get.

David McCaskie sealed the victory for Australia, crossing home plate on a single by Benjamin Jager.

Aussie pitcher Luke Ollerenshaw was credited with his second win at the world championships, tossing five solid innings.

Tonight, a win for Australia would put them in the playoffs, while a loss will send them to the consolation round and put the Americans through.

The Japanese also face the Czech Republic with their playoff lives at stake. They need a win or an Australia loss to qualify for the championship round.

With the ISF using head-to-head matchups as the tiebreaking formula, Japan would qualify past Australia if they end up tied in the standings. Japan beat Australia 2-1 on Saturday.

However, if the USA and Japan are tied following tonight’s games, the Americans would advance as they beat Japan 4-2 on Tuesday.

Two teams that don’t need to be worried about a playoff spot are Argentina and New Zealand.

Argentina sits at 8-0, guaranteed first place regardless of the outcome against Denmark.

They allowed two runs against for the first time this tournament yesterday during their matchup with the USA, but still won handily 9-2.

The Americans took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, when James Pernetti scored on a wild pitch from Roman Godoy.

But Argentina responded just an inning later.

With one run already driven in, Godoy ripped a double to score Alan Peker and Lighuen Angiolillo, and suddenly they were up 3-1.

Tyler Bouley sent one out of the park in the fourth for the USA, spelling the end of the night for Godoy, who was replaced by Franco Gini.

Gini shut the door the rest of the way and Argentina exploded for six runs in the bottom of the inning, including a three-run homer from Facundo Carril.

In other action, New Zealand picked up a 6-2 win over Singapore, and now sports a 7-1 record heading into their final game against Mexico (4-4).

Te Kahui Bishop had two hits, two runs and two RBIs for the Junior Black Sox, including a massive home run in the bottom of the third.

Eruera Drage allowed just three hits over seven innings, with 13 strikeouts.

Mexico also beat Denmark 8-1 yesterday. The Mexicans were looking to rebound after an extra innings loss to Australia Wednesday, and they started out strong.

Runs from Enrique Gonzalez, Rafael Alvarez and Jossie Garcia gave them a 3-0 lead after the 1st. They padded the board with two more in the third and four in the fourth, for a final score of 8-1.

Playoffs start Saturday, as well as a consolation round for teams that finish between fifth and 10th to determine final rankings.

For a full schedule, as well as live stats and webcasts visit www.worldfastpitch2014.com.