Tokyo, Japan, June 8, 2019 – Iran are hoping to keep their winning edge over Argentina, while Brazil are hoping to keep their unbeaten record against hosts Japan at the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
Argentina – Iran (June 8, 2019)
Head-to-head
• Iran have won their last two matches against Argentina at world level major tournaments both in five sets.
• World level major tournaments are: FIVB Volleyball Nations League, Olympic Games, World Championship, World Cup, World League and Grand Champions Cup.
• One of those five-sets victories was in the 2018 Volleyball Nations League. Facundo Conte (ARG, 21) and Iran's Milad Ebadipour Ghara H. (18) and Amir Ghafour (17) were their team's top scoring players.
• The last time Argentina won a world level major tournament match against Iran was at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, when they won in straight sets.
Argentina
• Argentina were beaten 3-0 by Japan on Friday, their fourth straight-sets defeat in 19 Volleyball Nations League matches.
• Argentina have now suffered back-to-back VNL defeats, directly following a four-match winning run.
• Argentina have yet to win their first five-setter at the VNL. They have lost three matches by a 3-2 scoreline.
• In their 3-0 defeat to Japan last Friday, Federico Pereyra scored a team-high 18 points for Argentina, 11 points more than their second-highest scorer Ezequiel Palacios (7 points).
Iran
• Friday's 3-2 defeat against Brazil halted a six-match winning run for Iran at the Volleyball Nations League, their longest in the competition.
• Iran had won only four of their previous 12 matches in the competition and two of their first four last season (this season: three of four).
• Iran have now lost three and won two of their five VNL matches decided in five sets.
• Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Eraghi led Iran on 19 points against Brazil an was one of five Irani players into double figures in that match.
Japan – Brazil (June 8, 2019)
Head-to-head
• Brazil have won each of their last 23 world level major competition encounters with Japan since a 3-2 loss in the 1993 World League on 4 July.
• World level major tournaments are: FIVB Volleyball Nations League, Olympic Games, World Championship, World Cup, World League and Grand Champions Cup.
• Brazil have won each of their last six world level major competition encounters with Japan in straight sets.
• Japan last won a set against Brazil at the 2007 World Cup, where Brazil won 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18.
Japan
• Japan beat Argentina 3-0 on Friday, their first ever straight-sets victory in the Volleyball Nations League.
• Japan could win successive VNL matches for the second time, after 3-2 victories over Italy and Germany on 10 and 15 June last year.
• Just like last season, Japan won two of their first four VNL matches. In 2018, their fifth match was a 3-0 defeat against forthcoming opponents Brazil.
• Yuki Ishikawa was the match top scorer in Japan's 3-0 win over Argentina on Friday. He led all players in total points won (28), block points (4) and serve points (3).
Brazil
• Brazil have won each of their first four matches at the 2019 Volleyball Nations League.
• Last season, Brazil won their first VNL match, then lost their second, before reeling off seven straight victories.
• Brazil have won four and lost two of their six VNL matches that were decided in five sets.
• Ricardo Lucarelli Souza paced Brazil with 20 points against Iran. He was one of four Brazilian players to reach double figures in scoring in their five-set win on Friday.
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