Tokyo, Japan, May 28, 2016 - Iran started the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Olympic Qualification Tournament with the only straight-set victory on the first competition day. Canada failed to upset world champions Poland, but will look for the positives in their head-to-head record against Iran to find their way back to the winning track.
Head-to-head
• Canada and Iran last met at the World Olympic Qualification tournament in 2004 in Tokyo when Canada won in straight sets.
• Their last encounter came at the 2015 World Cup when Canada won 3-0.
• Canada lost their last match at the World Olympic Qualification against an AVC side when China proved too strong in 2004 (3-0).
• Iran won their last match against a NORCECA side at the World Olympic Qualification tournament when they won 3-1 against Puerto Rico.
Canada
• Canada lost their first match against Poland by 3-2, which still gave them a point to start with.
• Canada could lose their first two matches at the World Olympic Qualification tournament for the third time, after 1996 and 2000. At their only other participation at the tournament in 2004, they beat Iran in the opening match (3-0) but then lost their second match against France in straight sets.
• They could lose three consecutive matches at the World Olympic Qualification tournament for the first time, as they also lost their last match at the 2004 tournament against China (3-0).
• Gordon Perrin John scored three aces against Poland, equal second-most of all players on Day 1.
Iran
• Iran defeated Australia in straight sets in their opening match.
• Iran could win their first two matches at the World Olympic Qualification tournament for the second time, after 2012 when then beat Korea and China.
• They could win three consecutive matches at the tournament for the second time, after 2008-2012 (Australia 2008, Korea and China 2012). Iran defeated Japan in their last match at the 2012 tournament.
• Amir Ghafour scored 1.33 points on average per set from blocks (4 in total), the highest percentage of all players during Day 1.