Micronesia were humiliated 46-0 by Vanuatu on Tuesday in one of the most lopsided scores ever seen in football, with the Pacific nation urging FIFA to help them improve.
The latest drubbing followed a 38-0 loss to Fiji and a 30-0 scoreline against Tahiti at the multi-event Pacific Games, meaning the Federated States of Micronesia conceded 114 goals in their three group matches.
Micronesia’s Australian coach Stan Foster admitted it was “boys against men” on the field and called on FIFA officially to recognise the nation and give them a world ranking, which he said would open the door to technical assistance.
“I’m hoping that FIFA will be coming (to Micronesia) next week for inspections and to hopefully affiliate us with Asia,” Foster said.
“If they do, that will lead to us having technical assistance and everything else that brings. That would be a huge boost.”
The half-time score was 24-0 and Vanuatu, ranked 200 in the world, did not let up after the break in humid conditions in Papua New Guinea, which is hosting the event.
Vanuatu striker Jean Kaltack helped himself to 16 goals, rocketing to top spot on the tournament scoring ladder.
“They’re boys, not men,” Foster said of his team.
“And they’ve been playing against well-seasoned men. I’m hoping the majority of our boys will be here for at least eight years.”
Organisers labelled it the biggest win in international football history, although it is unlikely to go in the record books with Micronesia not a FIFA member and it being an under-23 tournament.
The record scoreline in a senior international was American Samoa’s 31-0 loss to Australia in 2001.
However, in a lesson for the young Micronesians, the Samoans ignored jibes about being the worst team in history and eventually recorded their first ever win against Tonga in 2011.
There was some good news for Micronesia, as Pacific Games organisers assured them they would be welcomed back when the event is next held in four years’ time.
“That was big relief for me, because I was really worried the organisers would take us out of the competition because of our scores,” Foster said.
“I’ve been assured that we’ll be allowed to come back and that they’re aware that this is a development squad.”