Australia
recorded the most comprehensive victory in the history of soccer internationals today when they beat Tonga 22-0 in Oceania's first round of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup finals.
A spokesman for FIFA, world soccer's ruling body, said the previous record victory in an international was China's 20-0 defeat of Bhutan in an Asian Cup qualifier in 2000.
The previous record for a World Cup qualifier was held by Iran who beat Guam 19-0 in Asia's first round of World Cup qualifying in Tehran last October.
