The Federated States of Micronesia football team conceded 114 goals in three matches at the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby. Coach Stan Foster talks to Pacific Beat’s Richard Ewart.
You would think that there is only so much punishment a football coach and his team can take.
But despite being beaten 30-0 by Tahiti, crushed 38-0 by Fiji and ultimately dismantled 46-0 by Vanuatu, Stan Foster, the manager of the ill-fated Micronesia team, said it would return for the next Pacific Games in Tonga in 2017.
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Speaking to Foster after the Vanuatu humiliation, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the man’s composure and willingness to speak to the media.
To add to the indignity of it all, two of Foster’s young players missed the bus back to the Games village and had to endure another half hour of agonizing waiting in the public eye.
When I go back, I expect more criticism from those who say the team embarrassed the country, but I hope we have taken the first steps to one day becoming a force in the region.
As quietly as possible, I approached the two players and asked them if they wanted to talk to me.
The first of the two men thought about the request for a moment, then agreed to talk.
I asked him his name and then invited him to put into words his feelings after what I described as “a few extraordinarily hard days for the team”.
He looked at me for a few seconds and said, “I don’t know what to say.”
The interview ended there.
“A little devastated”
Foster, for his part, was ready to chat, summing up his team’s latest cataclysmic outing with the understatement of this year or any other year: “We’re a little devastated.”
But he didn’t seem like a devastated man, but wanted to dedicate himself to building football in Micronesia.
“I chose a development team made up of teenagers, which I was criticized for, but if the kids weren’t so enthusiastic about the sport I probably would have packed my bags and moved back to Australia,” he said.
“But the support I’m getting from these young guys and the new coaches who are starting to form has been phenomenal.
“When I go back, I expect more criticism from those who say the team embarrassed the country, but I hope we have taken the first steps to one day becoming a force in the region.”
The Federated State of Micronesia was defeated by Vanuatu 46-0. (Pacific Games: Kevin Darling)
As the tide of goals poured into the Micronesians’ net, what words could Foster offer his players to ease their pain?
Simple words are the answer: “Go ahead and do your best and I will be proud of you.” »
And Foster was clearly proud that his players continued to face impossible odds.
“They know you don’t have the skills or the technical know-how, but in 12 or 16 years, after a few more Pacific Games, history will look good on you,” Foster told them.
Impressed by the fighting spirit
Oceania’s powers that be are backing the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) boys, after confirming their invitation to the 2017 games amid fears three blowouts would have ruled them out of the competition.
Foster said Oceania National Olympic Committee officials were impressed by the spirit of the Micronesian team and how they persevered until the end.
So I asked Foster, is it a case of trying as best you can to put the Port Moresby experience behind you, recruit players and start a four-year program in preparation for the next Games?
Without hesitation, he said, “That’s absolutely true.
Most of them had never left their villages until we went to Guam as part of our preparation for the Games. Most of them had never been on an escalator and I had to show them how to use one.
“I have already created academies this year, for under-15s, boys and girls. We must continue to renew ourselves and I hope to follow in the footsteps of other teams in the Pacific.”
Coincidentally, Foster said he would be making the long journey back to his home state of Yap on the same flight as a group of FIFA officials.
They will carry out inspections in FSMs and recognition from FIFA would pave the way for additional financial support.
“I can’t do it alone,” Foster said. “As far as I know, I am the only certified trainer in the country and I really need help to raise the technical level on the other islands since we are several hundred kilometers apart.”
As for the harrowing experience in Papua New Guinea, I asked Foster if he thought his young players might need some advice on coping with what happened to them so far from home.
“Maybe,” he said, “but they are young, they are resilient. Most of them had never been out of their villages until we went to Guam as part of our preparation for the Games.
“Most of them had never used an escalator and I had to show them how to use one.
The Federated States of Micronesia conceded a goal in their 38-0 defeat against Fiji. (Provided: Kevin Darling)
“But that fantastic experience – the opening ceremony, meeting so many fantastic people – I think it took away some of the disappointment of what happened on the pitch, took away the pain.”
From Tahiti, Fiji and Vanuatu – the teams that inflicted this evil – came apologies and suggestions that perhaps they could have been gentler towards Micronesia.
But Foster rejected that idea out of hand.
“Never do that,” he told them. “It’s representative football, the goal difference is important. Never apologize. That suits me because we are here to learn. You just play your game.”
And despite the horror of Port Moresby, Foster vowed his players would continue to play their game and, just like The Terminator, they would come back.
