Lausanne, Switzerland, June 4, 2017 - Australia and Japan meet for the third time in an official FIVB competition when they come head-to-head Sunday in Poprad, with the record standing at 1-1, as Japan seek their first win this season after two matches lost.
Head-to-Head• These teams have met twice at world level competitions (OG, WCh, World Cup, World League).
• At the 2007 World Cup, Australia triumphed over Japan in straight sets.
• At the 2015 World Cup, Japan emerged victorious, winning by 3-1.
• Last year, they met at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan in June: Australia won in straight sets, but both teams failed to qualify for Rio 2016.
• Their last encounter at regional level came at the 2015 Asian Championship, with Australia winning 3-1 in a competition which was ultimately won by Japan.
Australia• Australia started their World League campaign with a five-set win against Portugal on Friday, but they were not able to follow up against Slovakia, who beat them 3-1.
• Australia could win their second match in this year’s competition, equalling their total wins in 2015 and 2016 combined.
• They have never claimed two victories in their first three fixtures of a World League season.
• Lincoln Alexander Williams outscored all players (of both sides) against Slovakia with 19 points.
Japan• Japan fell 3-2 against Portugal on Saturday, after losing 3-0 against Slovakia on Friday.
• Japan have lost eight in a row in the World League, their longest such rut in the competition since 13 in a row in 2013-2014.
• Japan's last World League victory dates back to 19 June of last year, when they beat Korea 3-0 in Osaka.