Micronesia soccer team outscored 68-0 in two matches at Olympic qualifier

Russell Greaves

Micronesia soccer team outscored 68-0 in two matches at Olympic qualifier image

The Federated States of Micronesia suffered a 38-0 loss to Fiji at the Pacific Games on Sunday, just two days after going down 30-0 to Tahiti in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

It has been a tough maiden outing at an Oceania Football Confederation tournament for the island nation, with its Group A hopes already over — though the side, consisting of under-23 players, still has a match against Vanuatu to come on Tuesday.

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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, the minnows limited Fiji to 17 further goals after the interval.

The result set a new highest score at the competition, but will not be recognized as a record by FIFA as Micronesia is not ranked by the governing body.

Australia holds the honor for the biggest victory in a FIFA-recognized international match, having beaten American Samoa 31-0 in a qualifier for the 2002 World Cup.

Russell Greaves