Lausanne, Switzerland, September 15, 2017 – The hosts of the 2017 FIVB Men's World Grand Champions Cup are still looking for their first victory in the tournament. To rebound from this losing streak, Japan will be looking to defeat Iran in an all-Asian clash on Saturday. This will be their third encounter in the history of the Grand Champions Cup.
Head-to-Head
• These nations will meet for the third time at the World Grand Champions Cup. In 2013, Iran won in straight sets and Japan recorded a five-set victory in 2009.
• In these teams' most recent meeting at world level, on June 1, 2016, Iran beat Japan 3-1 in a Olympic qualifier.
Japan
• Japan have lost all their three matches at the 2017 World Grand Champions Cup so far.
• They won a set against Italy to end a run of six straight-set defeats in the competition.
• Japan's last win in this tournament came against their forthcoming opponents Iran - 3-2 in 2009.
• Masahiro Yanagida leads Japan on points scored: 38, 36 of which from spikes.
Iran
• Iran's 0-3 defeat against Brazil ended their longest winning run in the World Grand Champions Cup of four matches.
• They could lose back-to-back matches in straight sets for the first time at the World Grand Champions Cup.
• Milad Ebadipour Ghara H. leads Iran on points scored: 47.