Lausanne, Switzerland, June 5, 2018 - Korea beat Thailand on Tuesday to put an end to their four-match losing streak at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, but are now up against Japan in an Asian classic, Wednesday in Nakhon Ratchasima - and Japan lead the series 41-13 (including 20 wins in the last 21 games).
Head-to-Head
• Japan have won 41 of the previous 54 major world level meetings with Korea.
• The women's world level major competitions are: the VNL, Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World Grand Prix and Grand Champions Cup.
• Korea have only suffered more major world level defeats against Russia (43, including the Soviet Union and CIS) than versus Japan (41).
• Japan's 41 major world level tournament wins against Korea are at least 18 more than versus any other team: 23 against (West/East) Germany.
• Japan have won 20 of their last 21 fixtures against Korea at major world level tournaments, with a 3-1 defeat at the 2016 Olympic Games as the only exception in that run.
• Japan won the bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games after defeating Korea 3-0 in the third-place decider.
Japan
• Japan lost 3-1 against Turkey on Tuesday to suffer their sixth defeat at the 2018 VNL (W4-L6).
• Four of their six VNL losses have come by a 3-0 scoreline. The last time Japan suffered (at least) five straight-set defeats in a single edition of a major world level competition was at the 2015 World Grand Prix (6).
• Japan have won seven of their last eight five-setters in world level major competitions, with a 3-2 defeat against United States at the 2017 Grand Champions Cup as the only exception in that run.
• Yuki Ishii has scored 97 points for Japan at the 2018 VNL, at least 19 more than any other teammate.
Korea
• Korea beat hosts Thailand 3-1 on Tuesday to end a four-match losing streak at the 2018 VNL.
• Korea are now on five wins and five defeats at the 2018 VNL. Four of their five VNL defeats have come in straight sets.
• Yang Hyo Jin scored a match-high 21 points in Korea's 3-1 victory over Thailand, including 12 spikes.
• Kim Yeon Koung (20 points versus Thailand) is on 150 points for Korea. No other player from Korea has scored 100 points.