One of the biggest population differences in world sport was on display at McEwen Reserve on Friday afternoon, with China taking on the Northern Mariana Islands on matchday two of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers.
While China picked up an 11-0 win, it was the Islands who would gain plaudits, with the nation - just 50,000 people strong - putting on a defensive show.
Coming off a 23-0 defeat to Australia on Wednesday, Northern Mariana came out strong, defending as a team and conceding just one goal in the opening 25 minutes.
Putting their bodies on the line and aided by some wayward shots on goal from China, the Islands held out - until China flicked the switch.
When Zhang Junjie doubled his sides lead in the 26th minute the floodgates opened, with Liu Chengyu also scoring two and Wang Haobin and Mei Shuaijun scoring singles to take a 7-0 lead into the break.
With just four of the same starting 11 as their tournament opener, China were looking far from equalling Australia’s goal difference boosting win - and the second half would start much the same as the first.
“Our idea was to give more players the opportunity to play so we did some rotations,” Chinese coach Yang Chen said.
“Of course the goal difference is quite important for us but in this match the Northern Mariana Islands played very well, they were well prepared so it’s a very difficult game for us.”
A stellar performance from Islands’ goalkeeper Vincente Jose Reyes and his defence would keep China from scoring until 15 minutes into the second half
This was where second half substitute - and player-of-the-match Wang Yudong would come onto into his own.
Showing plenty of leadership as soon as he stepped on the pitch, Yudong added to his match-day one hat-trick with four more goals.
The only player to break through the Islands’ defensive wall in the second half, Yudong’s touch, control and composure made him stand out.
Despite falling by 11 goals, Northern Mariana Islands coach Michiteru Mita was proud of his sides performance, with the Islands mentor breaking down in tears in the post-match press conference after online hate was directed to his team after Wednesday night’s game.
“The boys showed improvement, after the first game the boys were disappointed,” Mita said.
“They used that experience for the second game so I’m very proud of what my boys did today.”
Mita said defensive organisation was one area the team improved, with the Islands’ mentor highlighting the way goalkeeper Reyes bounced back from a difficult match against Australia.
“He was excellent today,” he said.
“This is very important, we know we’re very small and young but we are trying to develop football and we are using the football to develop the community.
“For young people they need something to dream so to be the national team players is a wild dream for island people.
“But something needs to motivate them so that’s why this international tournament is very important to us.”
Both China and the Northern Mariana Islands have one game left in the qualifiers, with China taking on Australia on Sunday at 3pm and the Northern Mariana Islands battling Cambodia at 7:30pm.
Matchday 2 - Northern Mariana Islands vs China - Friday, October 7
Northern Mariana Islands - 0 lt China - 11 (Kaijun 13’ Junjie 26’ 31’ Chengyu 30’ 42’ Haobin 38’ Shuaijun 34’ Yudong 60’ 71’ 80’ 92’)
Attendance: 221
Player-of-the-match: Wang Yudon (China)
Key Player - Vicente Jose Reyes - Northern Mariana Islands
The man between the sticks for the Northern Mariana Islands put in a stellar shift against a strong China outfit. Pulling off saves, commanding his defence and continuing to get back up after conceding, Reyes' match deserves recognition.
Upcoming AFC U-17 Asian Cup Fixtures — All games at Shepparton’s McEwen Reserve
Sunday, October 9
3pm, Australia v China PR
7.30pm, Cambodia v Northern Mariana Islands