The Australian men's volleyball team has made a disappointing start at the Asian Championships in Tehran, losing to Qatar in four sets.
The Volleyroos, who are the second ranked team in the tournament and currently 13th in the world, had no answers for world number 45, Qatar, losing 25-22, 28-30, 25-22, 25-20.
Although the Asian Championships have no bearing on Olympic qualification, coach Roberto Santilli said on the eve of the event his team needed to challenge to win the tournament to prove they are world class.
But he also warned how the opening game of the tournament would be a danger game for the Volleyroos, who have just completed their first season in the top group of World League.
Australia's other opponents in Tehran are world number 39, India, and number 141, Turkmenistan.
Hosts Iran are the top seeds for the Championships, and will be chasing their third consecutive Asian title.
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