Head-to-head· Venezuela beat Japan in straight sets in their only previous meeting at the World Cup in 2003.
· Japan have won only one set in their last six meetings with Venezuela in all major international competitions. These matches include their 2003 World Cup encounter, four World League match-ups (2005) and a head-to-head at the 2008 Olympic Games (group stage).
· The last time the Japanese team beat Venezuela in a major international tournament was in 1990 at the world championship (3-0 group stage win).
Japan· Japan can win five matches at a single World Cup for the first time since winning seven matches in 1995.
· The 1995 World Cup is also the last time they won two consecutive matches by a 3-0 scoreline, against Tunisia and Korea.
· Japan's 9 wins at world tournaments in 2015 (excludes Asian Championship) are the most since they won 11 matches in 1995.
Venezuela· Venezuela hope to claim their second win at this year's World Cup. They won four matches at their previous campaign in 2003, including a 3-0 win against Japan.
· That win against Japan is Venezuela's last straight-set victory at the World Cup.
· Venezuela have recorded most of their 3-0 wins at world tournaments in matches against Japan, five times.
· Venezuela won at most one match at each of their previous six major world tournaments: World League 2015, World Championship 2014 and 2010, World League 2009, Olympic Games 2008 and World League 2008.