Tongan netball star Uneeq Palavi won't beat around the bush, a 61-goal loss to the Diamonds at the Commonwealth Games was tough to swallow.
But goalscorer Palavi knows there'll be plenty of rough times ahead as the Tala attempt to climb netball's summit and put "our little country on the map".
On Games debut in Glasgow, Tonga endured a baptism of fire in their opening match against perennial heavyweights Australia.
World No.8 Tonga were simply no match for the four-time Games gold medallists, with former Melbourne Mavericks shooter Palavi unable to flaunt her quality in attack against the rock-solid Diamonds defence.
The 25-year-old, who grew up in Melbourne, scored 30 goals from 35 attempts as she managed being double-marked in the circle at times.
"We were pretty much telling ourselves, 'Oh, we're going to beat the Diamonds'. Just the hype-up," Palavi joked.
"It wasn't the best, but to come up against the world's best is obviously going to be something like that.
"We're not a new team, but we're new in this environment.
"I feel like it's a lot to come up against the world's best and put out what we wanted to.
"It's just another step closer to putting our little country on the map, and I feel like that's all that matters."
Tonga's bid for a boilover continues when they face South Africa on Monday morning (AEST) before taking on Northern Ireland.
Tonga have enjoyed a remarkable rise in international netball since piecing together a national team in 2014, with Palavi playing a crucial role in guiding the Tala to Glasgow.
She was Tonga's top scorer and fourth overall as her side finished eighth at the 2023 World Cup.
The island nation - which boasts a population of just over 100,000 - sit ahead of Games hosts world No.10 Scotland and behind No.7 Wales in the world rankings.
And while the Tala may have been playing nearly 20,000 kilometres away from home, they still had plenty of support at the Hydro.
"I didn't expect so many Tongans to be out there, but that's the crazy thing about it," Palavi said after the 99-38 defeat.
"No matter where in the world you are, there's always Tongans to support."
