Rio de Janeiro, May 24 (IANS): Hosts Brazil have been drawn alongside rivals Russia in the first phase of the women's volleyball competition at this year's Olympic Games, the International Volleyball Federation has said.

Brazil, who have won the past two Olympic gold medals, will also meet Japan, South Korea, Argentina and Cameroon in the opening phase of the tournament, reports Xinhua.

The full schedule detailing the order of matches, dates and times has yet to be released.

"They are two strong groups. In the Olympic Games you can't choose your opponents," Brazil coach Ze Roberto said on Monday.

"The first thing we are going to try to do is finish as high as we can in the group. We are working as hard as we can to be at the top of our game in August."

Brazil eliminated Russia in the quarter-finals of the London 2012 Olympics, turning around their semifinal result at the Athens 2004 Games.

Women's volleyball at the Rio 2016 Olympics:

Group A: Brazil, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Cameroon

Group B:
United States, China, Serbia, Italy, Netherlands, Puerto Rico