International football's biggest ever beating
In April 2001, American Samoa took on Australia in the World Cup qualifiers and lost 31-0. It's the world record for the biggest defeat in international football.
In April 2001, the small island nation of American Samoa took on Australia in the World Cup qualifiers. You could only play for the team if you held an American passport, which automatically ruled out the majority of the American Samoans, leaving them to resorting to picking schoolboys to play for them.
What followed was the biggest defeat in international football – 31-0.
Uma Doraiswamy speaks to goalkeeper Nicky Salapu about how he felt as the 31 goals the goals flew in past him.
(Photo: Nicky Salapu in goal for American Samoa against Australia in 2001. Credit: Darren England/Allsport Getty Images)
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- Sat 24 Feb 202405:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & Europe and the Middle East only
- Sat 24 Feb 202418:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sat 24 Feb 202419:50GMTBBC World Service West and Central Africa
- Sun 25 Feb 202400:50GMTBBC World Service except Americas and the Caribbean, East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sun 25 Feb 202404:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
- Mon 26 Feb 202400:50GMTBBC World Service West and Central Africa
- Mon 26 Feb 202403:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa
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