Lausanne, Switzerland, June 16, 2017 - China host Australia Saturday in Kunshan, in what is the fourth encounter between the two sides in an official competition, with China leading the series 2-1. Australia are guaranteed a spot in the Group 2 Final Four as hosts of the event in Gold Coast, but China need to win this one to keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying.
Head-to-Head• China and Australia have met three times before in a major competition.
• Earlier this season, they met for the first time in the World League. Australia won 3-0 in Helsinki, Finland.
• China beat Australia 3-0 at the Asian Championships in 2015.
• China's last victory over Australia at a major global tournament dates back to the 2002 World Championship, when they won 3-1.
China• China (149) are one short of becoming the fifth team, after Japan, Korea, Cuba and Argentina, to lose 150 World League matches.
• China have won three of their seven 2017 World League matches, the same record as they had at this stage of last year's tournament. They went on to lose their eighth fixture in straight sets against Turkey.
• Only one of China's last 16 World League matches has gone to a fifth set, the 3-2 defeat versus Turkey in their opening fixture of this year's edition.
Australia• Australia have already qualified for the Group 2 final round as they are hosting the event in Gold Coast.
• Australia have won five of their seven 2017 World League matches. Only in 2014 (7) have they recorded more victories in a single World League campaign.
• Australia could win five consecutive World League matches for the first time. They also had a run of four in a row in that 2014 campaign.
• Australia have won seven of their 10 World League matches that have gone to a deciding set, including both in 2017.