Russia W18 are starting out at the 2019 World Championship

In Japan, the under 18 Russian women's national team will begin their 2019 World Championship journey in Japan against the USA.

Russia are placed in Group A alongside the Americans, Sweden and Canada, while Finland, Switzerland, Japan and the Czech Republic compete against each other in Group B.

The top two teams in Group A qualify directly for the semi-finals, while the remaining two move into the quarter-finals against the best two countries in Group B. The bottom two sides in Group B will battle it out to survive in the Elite Division.

Polina Luchnikova is the Russian captain, with Elena Mezentseva and Varvara Boriskova wearing the "A" on their jerseys.

Puck drop is scheduled for 11:00 Moscow time.