It has not been a good week for the footballers from the Federated States of Micronesia.
After losing 30-0 to Tahiti and 38-0 to Fiji in the Pacific Games earlier this week, they lost 46-0 to Vanuatu in their Pool A clash. The result culminates in a poor week for the team, conceding 114 goals over the three games in Papua New Guinea.
In a Pool that is expected to be decided by goal difference, the Vanautu side had to win by at least 30 goals to have any hope of qualifying for the semi finals. The World ranked 200th best team led 24-0 at half time with Jean Kaltack top scoring for the side scoring 16 goals.
The tournament was part of the Olympic qualifying process for Oceania, where New Zealand are expected to represent the continent in Brazil next year.
The Guardian quoted the Micronesian manager Stan Foster as saying “Most of these have never been out of their villages let alone onto another island. I took them to Guam the other day [and it was] the first time they’ve been on an elevator or an escalator. It’s been a huge step-up for these guys and they’ve just been overawed really."
