h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Thought you'd like to know that the record international score you mention on this page has been broken TWICE in the past week!
Australia beat Tonga 22-0 in a World Cup qualifying game at the weekend.
But that was a close shave compared to the subsequent World Cup game I've just seen reported, which I think must have been played either last night or early this morning UK time. The Aussies have now beaten American Samoa 32-0, with someone called Archie Thompson scoring 14 goals!

Sorry to be pedantic but, it was 31-0 and Thompson only got 13
(One got ruled offside)

Even so - some game!

Perhaps not so much fun if you are America Samoan !!

I don't want to be REALLY pedanti, but it was 31-0 and Thompson DID get 14!
Just spoke to a mate of mine who's actually out there watching the games!!!

Well, according to BBC Sport Livzy's right: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/football/world_cup_2002/newsid_1271000/1271854.stm
No wonder there's some confusion - people must have lost count!

Cheers Orm!

How did you get on with Mickey......stud holes... last question?

Drove me mental, it did !!

the mind boggles... I've played in a game where my team had 8 men from the start, against far superior opposition in driving rain, and we still 'only' lost by the relatively respectable score of 15-3. 31-0... Blimey!

Flippin' 'Eck - BBC changed their minds again - Livzy IS right!!!
My mate, who is out there reckons that American Samoa would struggle in the lowest district league possible in this country!!
Apparently 3 of their team couldn't make it to the tournament as they had high school exams!!

Darn, I was going to tell you lot about this

Still, got a list from someone on email

TOP 10 INTERNATIONAL TROUNCINGS

1 Apr 2001 Australia 31-0
American Samoa WCQ
2 Apr 2001 Tonga 0-22
Australia WCQ
3 Feb 2000 Kuwait 20-0
Bhutan CQ
4 Jan 2000 China 19-0
Guam CQ
5 Nov 200 Iran 19-0
Gaum WCQ
6 Jun 2000 Tahiti 18-0
American Samoa CQ
7 Jun 1997 Maldives 0-17
Iran WCQ
8 Jun 2000 Australia
17-0
Cook Islands CF
9 Sep 1998 Australia 16-0
Cook Islands CF
10 Nov 2000 Tajikstan 16-0
Guam WCQ

WCQ = World Cup Qualifier; CQ = Continental Qualifier
CF = Continental Championship Finals


Q. Wonder if they should let San Marino or the Faores Play American Samoa just to make them feel better?

Or even Wales ...

Notice that Australia appear several times on this list. They must be really good

I don't think they are very good ... it's more that the opposition are very poor!
When FIFA decided to form the Oceania federation, Australia were the only country within the new federation to vote against its formation.
The Aussies were concerned about the quality of opposition and wanted o stay within the Asian Federation.

The worst country I could find (oher than American Samoa) was Guam.
Guam's record over the last eight years is P8 W0 D0 L8 F2 A94 !!!

Apparently Dick Advocaat is upset that one of his players is continually called up to these matches when all teh Premiership players for Oz are left out. Don't blame him.

But seeing as I support Celtic in Scotland...

It's true that Advocaat is annoyed, and you can read the Australian coach's response here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/football/teams/r/rangers/newsid_1273000/1273088.stm

But it's not true that no Premiership players get called up for Australia. John Aloisi of Coventry got six of their 22 goals against Tonga!

Fair enough. Bet Gordon Strachan's well pleased with that considering their current plight.

Apparently Australia are slipping as a new found footballing power ... they only beat Fiji 2-0 the other day.

As for Advocat's comments - what a load of bull. You might international quality players then you live with the consequences of them being called up for their country. No sympathy given from me.