Tokyo, Japan, May 28, 2016 - Both Venezuela and Australia suffered losses on the first competition day at the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan and will both be looking for a speedy recovery as they face each other on Sunday.
Head-to-head
• Venezuela and Australia met at the previous edition of the World Olympic Qualification tournament. In 2012, in Tokyo, Australia won 3-0.
• Their last world level meeting came at the 2015 World Cup when Australia won 3-1.
• Australia also won their encounter at the 2014 World Championship in the last match of the first round (3-2). With that result Australia progressed to the next round while Venezuela were eliminated.
Venezuela
• Venezuela lost their opening match versus Japan (3-1).
• Venezuela could lose their first two matches at the World Olympic Qualification tournament for the third time, after 1996 and 2012.
• They have now lost their last five matches at the tournament, their longest ever losing streak. Venezuela's last victory came against Puerto Rico in their third match at the 2012 qualification tournament.
• Fernando Gonzalez scored three points from aces against Japan, equal second-most of all players during the first match round.
Australia
• Australia were defeated by Iran in their opening match (3-0). They are the only team in this tournament without winning a set.
• It was the first time since 2004, Australia lost their opening match at the World Olympic Qualification tournament (then against France). In 2008 and 2012, they won their opening match.
• Only in 1996 Australia lost their first two matches of the tournament, as both Germany and China proved too strong in straight sets.