Tokyo, Japan, May 31, 2016 - The all-Asian clash between Iran and hosts Japan on the fourth competition day at the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Olympic Qualification Tournament could prove crucial to the eventual destiny of these teams on the road to Rio.
Head-to-head
• Japan and Iran have met on all three previous World Olympic Qualification tournaments held in Tokyo (2004, 2008, 2012).
• Their last encounter in 2012 ended in a straight sets win by Iran. Iran also won the 2004 match (3-2). Japan won the 2008 encounter by 3-1.
• Their last meeting came in the 2015 World Cup when Iran won 3-2.
• These teams played the final at the last two continental championships (2014 Asian Games and 2015 Asian Championships). In 2014, Iran proved too strong (3-1) while Japan won in 2015 (3-1).
Japan
• Japan started the tournament with a 3-1 win over Venezuela but suffered two straight set defeats in a row against China and Poland.
• The last time they lost three consecutive World Olympic Qualification Tournament matches was in 2004 when they lost five in a row before beating Korea by 3-0.
• Yuki Ishikawa is Japan's top scorer with 50 points including a match high 17 points against Poland.
Iran
• Iran suffered a straight set defeat against France after winning the first two matches against Australia (3-0) and Canada (3-2).
• The last time Iran lost consecutive matches at a World Olympic Qualification Tournament came in 2008 when they lost three a in row.
• Milad Ebadipour Gharahassanloo is Iran's top scorer. He has 37 points from spikes, has one successful block and two aces which make a total of 40 points, two more than teammate Amir Ghafour.