In 2001 American Samoa lost 31–0 to Australia. It was the worst defeat in international football. Things have not been much better for the American Samoa team since then. To qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup potential salvation comes in the unlikely form of Thomas Rongen, an American based Dutch soccer coach.
He commits for one month to give the team a fighting chance. During this brief period he focus on achievable tactics, fitness, a better defence as well as organising training sessions around the part time footballers. He also finds a couple of non island recruits who are of American Samoan heritage. Their form has been so bad that scoring a goal would be a bit of an achievement. It turns out that Rongen also has a personal tragedy to overcome.
The film also focuses on Jaiyah (Johnny) Saelua, a member of the team since 2003 but is the first trans-gender player to compete in a men's FIFA World Cup qualifier and is wholly accepted by the team. Samoan culture has a different attitude to trans-gender than in the west. We also see the unfortunate goalkeeper who let in all the goals against Australia.
Its a classic underdog and uplifting story but done in a minor key. Its nice to see football at the other end of the spectrum without overpaid prima donnas but for me the documentary was too formulaic and manipulative.
He commits for one month to give the team a fighting chance. During this brief period he focus on achievable tactics, fitness, a better defence as well as organising training sessions around the part time footballers. He also finds a couple of non island recruits who are of American Samoan heritage. Their form has been so bad that scoring a goal would be a bit of an achievement. It turns out that Rongen also has a personal tragedy to overcome.
The film also focuses on Jaiyah (Johnny) Saelua, a member of the team since 2003 but is the first trans-gender player to compete in a men's FIFA World Cup qualifier and is wholly accepted by the team. Samoan culture has a different attitude to trans-gender than in the west. We also see the unfortunate goalkeeper who let in all the goals against Australia.
Its a classic underdog and uplifting story but done in a minor key. Its nice to see football at the other end of the spectrum without overpaid prima donnas but for me the documentary was too formulaic and manipulative.