Yokohama, Japan, October 18, 2018 - Hosts Japan look to finish fifth in the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship as they play 2014 titleholders USA on Friday in Yokohama Arena.
2018 FIVB Women's World Championship semifinals:•
Serbia v Netherlands•
China v ItalyMatch for fifth place:Head-to-head• Japan won each of the first four encounters between these countries at World Championships, but United States have won four of the next six.
• The last meeting between these teams at the World Championship was in the match for the bronze medal in 2010, when Japan won 3-2.
• The last two US victories over Japan at World Championships both came in 1994 (both 3-1).
• United States have won each of their last 11 major meetings at world level with Japan, since a 3-0 defeat at the 2011 World Cup.
• The women's world level major competitions are: the Olympic Games, World Championship, World Cup, World Grand Prix, Grand Champions Cup and the Volleyball Nations League.
Japan• For the third time in the last four World Championships, Japan will finish in the top six. They came sixth in 2006, third in 2010 and seventh four years ago.
• In 2006, Japan also had to play a match for fifth place, which they lost against China (3-0).
• After winning seven of their first eight matches at this World Championship, Japan have now lost each of their last three.
• At World Championships, Japan have not lost four successive matches since 1998-2002. They have not lost four in a row within a single World Championship since 1986.
• Three of Japan's four defeats in this tournament needed a fifth set to be decided.
• Mako Kobata ranks as this tournament's best receiver. Her efficiency stands at 48.53%.
United States• Four years ago, USA won their first world title in women's volleyball, a crown that will not be retained.
• The titleholders in this competition have never finished outside the top five at the next World Championship.
• Following a 10-match winning streak at World Championships, United States have now lost four in a row in the competition.
• The last time USA lost more than four matches in a row at World Championships was 1974-1978: 10 successive defeats.
• Kelsey Robinson has made 134 digs at the 2018 World Championship, more than any other player.
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