Tokyo, Japan, May 17, 2016 - The home team faces another AVC side at the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo. After losing to Korea on Tuesday, Japan will be looking for a rebound against Thailand. Interestingly, the Japanese defeated the Thai the last time they met at world-level tournaments, but when it comes to continental competitions, it is Thailand that won the last five times.
Head-to-head
• Japan and Thailand met on three occasions in 2015. Japan won both meetings at the World Grand Prix (both 3-0), but Thailand proved too strong in the 2015 Asian Championship quarterfinal (3-0).
• Thailand's last five wins over Japan all came in continental championships (Asian Games, Asian Championship). Japan's last five wins came at world-level tournaments (World Grand Prix, Grand Champions Cup).
• This meet-up was the final of the 2013 Asian Championship. Thailand won their second Asian Championship by beating Japan 3-0.
• En route to their first Asian Championship title of 2009, Thailand beat Japan 3-1 in the semifinal.
Japan
• Japan could lose two matches at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament. They also suffered two successive defeats in their final two matches at the 2012 World Olympic Qualification Tournament.
• The last time Japan lost two competitive matches in a row was in their final two matches at the 2015 World Cup.
• Kimura Saori's average of 70.83% in receiving is the highest of all players.
• Haruka Miyashita's 12.20 setups per set is the highest average of all players.
Thailand
• Thailand risk losing three matches in a row at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament for the first time since five consecutive defeats in 2008-2012.
• Kazakhstan are the only team to lose three consecutive matches at a specific World Olympic Qualification Tournament and still manage to qualify, in 2008, as the best Asian team outside the top three.
• Thailand won their first match at this World Olympic Qualification Tournament against the Dominican Republic. That win ended a three-match losing streak in competitive matches, all three at the 2015 World Grand Prix.
• Piyanut Pannoy's average of 62.50% in receiving is the second highest behind Japan's Kimura Saori's 70.83%.