Quarter-finals were contested today in Fort Wayne ©IBSA

Reigning Paralympic champions Lithuania edged hosts United States 6-5 in the quarter-finals of the men's tournament at the International Blind Sports Federation Goalball International Qualifier for Tokyo 2020.

The clash between the Rio 2016 winners and the home team was the stand-out tie today in Fort Wayne and the Americans came agonisingly close to keeping their tournament alive.

With just five seconds left Josh Welbourn thought he had equalised but the shot was declared as a long ball and ruled out by the referee.

"It's heartbreaking, we gave it all we got," Welbourn said. 

"I have got to tip my cap to Lithuania, they really played incredible defence all game long. 

"Even though we were able to poke a couple in there, it wasn't enough."

Lithuania will meet China in the semi-finals after they maintained their unbeaten run with a 13-3 success over Sweden.

Turkey beat South Korea 7-3 and will now meet Czech Republic who pipped Ukraine 5-4.

There was better news for the American women as they thrashed Britain 9-1 to reach the semi-finals.

The US were 7-0 up after the first half with Amanda Dennis contributing six goals in the rout.

They will now meet Israel in the last four after they saw off Finland 5-3.

China eased through with a 5-0 success against Denmark and will square off against Australia, who were 5-1 winners against Canada.

All of the semi-finals will be played tomorrow.

As the top two sides from each event will earn a Paralympic spot, the winners will be guaranteed a place at Tokyo 2020.

Matches are taking place across the Indiana Tech and Turnstone Center venues in Fort Wayne.