Next Goal Wins

A big-hearted underdog tale in the mould of 2011 Oscar winner Undefeated, Next Goal Wins focuses on another bunch of underachievers: the football team of American Samoa. Mike Brett and Steve Jamison's documentary follows the unpaid part-timers as they compete in the South Pacific Games and seek qualification for the 2014 World Cup under incoming coach Thomas Rongren, having lost all their previous competitive matches, including a record 31-0 thrashing by Australia in 2001. A clash of cultures between the abrasive, atheist Dutchman and his meek, religious charges threatens to derail the enterprise from the very start, but there's a desire to heal old wounds on both sides that brings them together in the end. The film has plenty of pace, lots of deft touches and doesn't put a foot wrong as it charts the progress of the team, interspersing the action with insights from the players into their small but proud island nation. Standing out among the squad are the testimonies of long-suffering goalie Nicky Salapu and transgender defender Jaiyah Saelua, whose inclusion and acceptance is a breath of fresh air in a game often marred by intolerance. Brimming with emotion, this is the beautiful game as it should be - expect to cheer, shed tears and ultimately applaud a fine display of sporting endeavour.