Next Goal Wins (2014)

The power of hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, and an object lesson in what it really means to be a winner in life.

Directors:

Mike Brett, Steve Jamison

Stars:

Thomas Rongen, Jaiyah Saelua, Nicky Salapu

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Thomas Rongen	...	Football Trainer American Samoa Team
Jaiyah Saelua	...	Herself
Nicky Salapu	...	Himself
Gene Ne'emia	...	Himself
Larry Mana'o	...	Himself
Rawlston Masaniai	...	Himself
Charles Uhrle

Storyline

In 2001, the tiny Pacific island of American Samoa suffered a world record 31-0 defeat at the hands of Australia, garnering headlines across the world as the worst soccer team on the planet. A decade after that humiliating night, they remain rooted to the bottom of FIFA's World rankings, having scored only twice in seventeen years. They have lost every competitive game they have ever played. Against this backdrop of serial underachievement, the team face the daunting prospect of a qualification campaign for the upcoming 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It would take a miracle-maker or a madman to turn the team's fortunes around - and in maverick Dutch coach Thomas Rongen the islanders somehow find both. As a loan appointment from the mighty U.S. Soccer Federation, with experience of playing alongside football greats like George Best and Johann Cruyff, Rongen is completely unprepared for what greets him on the island - in his own words it is "by far the lowest standard" of football he's ever ...

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Plot Keywords:

soccer | football | american samoa | world cup | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Sport

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official Website

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 May 2014 (UK)

Also Known As:

El peor equipo del mundo

Filming Locations:

American Samoa

Box Office

Gross USA:

$43,089, 26 August 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Archer's Mark, Agile Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Calling The Shots
Performed by The Mighty Mocambos

User Reviews

Best Football Documentary So Far!

It's not very often I feel compelled to write a review on something I've watched, but "Next Goal Wins" is undoubtedly the BEST football themed docu-movie I have ever seen and indeed in my humble opinion one of the best movies I've ever watched. It grips you immediately from the start and is a true underdog story in every sense of the word, but this movie is much, much more than just a football documentary. It's so uplifting the way it approaches all the ideals, principles, morals and events and the hands that life deals us as you will find out upon viewing. The characters within the story are fascinating and in some cases "unusual" to say the least! If I had to make one criticism (and believe me I don't want to) it's the fact that I could have watched this easily for another hour I was that engaged by the story and the people in it and would have loved to have seen the next chapters in their lives, but to be fair to the makers of the film they got that just right as well. Simply brilliant, highly recommended to give you the feel good factor even if you're not a football fan.