It was meant to be the defining match for the Australian women's volleyball team, to prove they could hold their own against the best in Asia.
But illness and injury hampered the Volleyroos against fifth seeds Kazakhstan in the battle for a place in the top eight of the Asian Volleyball Championship in China.
Two of Australian's most important players, libero Bec Walter and opposite Phoebe Bell, succumbed to illness, although Walter somehow managed to get on the court on Friday night.
Hannah Ross was injured during the match, further cruelling Australia's hopes of snaring their biggest scalp.
Lacking the depth to sustain any sort of pressure. the Volleyroos lost 25-17 25-14 25-17 to sit third in their group and facing a fight for places ninth to 12th in Asia.
They beat the Philippines in their opening game, lost to powerhouse Korea 3-1 25-11 24-26 25-11 25-14 and next play Sri Lanka.
Ninth would be a repeat of Australia's result from two years ago.
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