MX23RW : Thursday, November 14 05:02:28| >> :600:145036591:145036591:

Sporting film of the day to help you through lockdown: Next Goal Wins

The film documents American Samoa's World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign.

From robo-heavyweights to angry ice-skaters, sports movies occupy a peculiar and often frankly unwatchable place in the annals of Hollywood history.

Amid global lockdown, the PA news agency runs a daily rule over some of the films that might provide that much-needed sporting fix – and those that absolutely shouldn't.

NEXT GOAL WINS (2014)

Summary

British duo Mike Brett and Steve Jamison's documentary focuses on the American Samoa national side – the outfit who were labelled the world's worst team following a 31-0 loss to Australia in 2001, the heaviest defeat in the history of international football. Ten years later they are still looking for their first ever win, with a Pacific Games campaign seeing them concede 26 goals without reply across five defeats, and World Cup 2014 qualifiers looming on the horizon. Enter Dutch-born, United States-based coach Thomas Rongen, who makes a considerable impact on the squad.

Cast

As well as the bold personality of Rongen, with his booming voice and often uncompromising approach, other prominent figures in the narrative include Nicky Salapu and Jaiyah Saelua. Goalkeeper Salapu, still tormented by the memory of the Australia game, is convinced by Rongen to come out of retirement and don the gloves again in the qualifiers against Tonga, the Cook Islands and neighbours Samoa. Handed a start in the opening contest, defender Saelua is believed to be the first transgender player to participate in a World Cup qualifier. Saelua, who was born male, belongs to the 'third gender' of fa'afafine in Polynesian culture, meaning 'way of the woman'.

Review

Taika Waititi has been working on a remake of Next Goal Wins (Matt Crossick/PA).
Taika Waititi has been working on a remake of Next Goal Wins (Matt Crossick/PA)

At times amusing, at others poignant, and in various ways inspiring, Next Goal Wins is well worth an hour and 37 minutes of your day. The portrait of the American Samoa team is an uplifting testament to the love of the beautiful game, and the film also provides a fascinating insight into life more generally on the tiny South Pacific island. After the fine job Brett and Jamison have done with this underdog story, it will be interesting to see how Taika Waititi, the New Zealander director of Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, interprets it in the forthcoming remake on which he has been working. The part of Rongen is being played by Michael Fassbender.

Top quote

"In childhood games, when you say that the 'next goal wins', everyone seems to get motivated and heightened to achieve that goal. We take that one step further. Regardless of the outcome of the game that we've had, here (in American Samoa) 'next goal wins' for us. We're just going to keep moving forward," said Larry Mana'o, who coached the team during the Pacific Games campaign.

ID:396050: cacheID:396050:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6197:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
John Barnes pictured in June 2018
Read Next:
Barnes: 'Liverpool well within rights to furlough staff'
>
Read more about Football Off The Pitch
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!