Despite conceding 114 goals in three matches, Micronesia football coach Stan Foster believes their time at the Pacific Games in Port Moresby has been an invaluable learning experience.
Federated States of Micronesia vs Vanuatu at the Pacific Games in Port Moresby Photo: Pacific Games News Service
The Federated States of Micronesia were thumped 46-0 by Vanuatu on Tuesday, having earlier conceded 30 goals against Tahiti and 38 against Fiji.
Stan Foster says for a lot of his players this was their first time on an eleven-a-side pitch.
"It's just so hard at this early stage - this is kindergarten for us," he said. "We have to learn and to know that we we go back we have to train harder and learn more skills.
"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.
"They need these sort of tournaments to become competitive in future."
Stan Foster says he deliberately picked a young squad that can continue to develop over the next four to eight years.
