Aussies set new standard

Aloisi scored a double hat-trick in the romp

Australia achieved a world record victory over Tonga in Coffs Harbour on Monday.

The Socceroos beat their part-time opponents 22-0 in Oceania's first round of qualifying for the 2002 finals to be held in Japan and Korea.

Coventry striker John Aloisi scored six of Australia's goals.

Australia showed no mercy after the break, going on to more than double their 10-0 half time lead.

The previous record was held by Iran who beat Guam 19-0 in Asia's first round of World Cup qualifying in Tehran in October last year.

It was a drastic turn of fortune for Tonga who had beaten Samoa 1-0 on Saturday.

Meanwhile Fiji beat American Samoa 13-0 in the group's other match so Australia are likely to have a good chance of beating the new record when they face the other minnows.

In fact, many of Australia's top players, including Leeds duo Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka, did not even feature as they had important club matches.