American Samoa faced numerous hurdles in the lead-up
FIFA.com chronicles the back-story to a unique match
Twenty years ago today a world record international score was set.
Australia 31-0 American Samoa
It is a mark that will surely never be surpassed.
This is the back-story of how the record books were torn to shreds in Coffs Harbour. About six hours north of Sydney, the area’s beachside ambience is more renowned as a summer holiday spot. But in football circles, the town’s name has become more synonymous with a barely believable 90 minutes.
Newly-minted international striker Archie Thompson scored an unthinkable 13 goals, another world record that seems certain never to be erased. Unbelievably, Thompson posted a new individual FIFA World Cup™ scoring record moments before the break to leave the half-time score at 16-0.
FIFA Fussball-Weltmeisterschaft 2002™ - Nachrichten - 31:0 – Die Geschichte hinter einem unglaublichen Weltrekord fifa.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fifa.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The brothers have been soccer starlets since they were just children.
Haris previously made his way into
Neos Kosmos at just 11-years-old when he won the Victorian Primary School Championships.
Years later he kept his passion and drive for football going, joining NPL’s Heidelberg United, then Melbourne City’s youth team. In the last few years however, the now 24-year-old played with Ivy League college Columbia University’s Lions and Colorado Rapids USL.
He then went on to join Greek Super League team Aris Thessaloniki FC, becoming the first Ivy league graduate to move to a top 15 European League under Paco Herrera who was Liverpool’s assistant coach with Benitez during the team’s victory at the Champions League in 2005. It just so happened to be the same year both boys were learning their trade in Montevideo Uruguay.