THE FEDERATED STATE of Micronesia suffered a 38-0 loss to Fiji at the Pacific Games earlier today.
The result is a record scoreline in the Pacific Games according to organisers, and comes just two days after going down 30-0 to Tahiti.
It has been a tough maiden outing at an Oceania Football Confederation tournament for the island nation, with their Group A hopes already over – though the side, consisting of under-23 players, still have a match against Vanuatu to come on Tuesday.
Fiji’s Atonio Tuivuna cashed in with 10 goals, at a tournament that provides the possibility of qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympics – something not on offer to their opponents, who are not affiliated to the International Olympic Committee.
One consolation for Micronesia was an improved second-half display.
Having trailed 21-0 at the break – conceding the opener in the first minute – they limited Fiji to 17 further goals after the interval.
Although the game set a new highest score at the competition, it will not be recognised as a record by FIFA as Micronesia are not ranked by the governing body.
Australia hold the honour for the biggest victory in a FIFA-recognised international football match, having beaten American Samoa 31-0 in a qualifier for the 2002 World Cup.
Can’t be any joy in that for either team.
There’s a great documentary called Next Goal Wins about that American Samoa team
Is that the documentary about an irish backpacker that ended up coaching them ?
Awesome documentary,they’re a seriously loveable team.
No, a MLS coach comes down from the US to train the team!
Yeah a Dutch lad and he’s mad as a bag of shpiders
Is there a lovable fat kid in it? Like in the movies?
No doubt we would scrapea 2-0 win and the result would be hailed as a success.
still ranked higher than Ireland
Not actually true as Micronesia isn’t an official FIFA qualifying country and the team was made up mainly of under-23 as it was an Olympic qualifier. The Australia vs American Samoa match is still the biggest win.
…should have read the article first. My bad… Red thumbs welcome.
What a laugh…..qualification for the Olympics.