Football
Associated Press 9y

Micronesia beaten 46-0 by Vanuatu, concede 114 goals in Pacific Games

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Vanuatu beat the Federated States of Micronesia by an extraordinary score of 46-0 in Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, but it wasn't enough to take them into the semifinals of the Pacific Games.

In the space of 270 minutes, Micronesia have conceded a total of 114 goals, having already lost 38-0 to Fiji and 30-0 to Tahiti in their other group games.

Jean Kaltak scored 16 goals for Vanuatu, who had to win by at least 37 goals to stand a chance of finishing in the two top and qualifying for the knockout rounds. But as Fiji and Tahiti played out a goalless draw in the final group game, Vanuatu had to settle for third place and were knocked out of the Pacific Games.

But as the Pacific Games double as the qualification campaign for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and Tahiti are not a member of the IOC, Vanuatu still went through to the Olympic playoffs where they will face New Zealand in the semifinals.

In Tahiti's 30-0 win over Micronesia, there were seven hat tricks, including a double hat trick for one player. Antonio Tuivuna scored 10 goals for Fiji against Micronesia. 

The Pacific Games is for under-23 teams, so Vanuatu's score will not stand as a world record for full international matches. Australia hold the record for the biggest win in senior international football when they beat American Samoa 31-0 in an Oceania confederation qualifier for the 2002 World Cup in 2001.

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