Fixing the worst football team in the world
The American Samoan team were legendary – for their huge losses. They hold the world record for the biggest defeat in international football.
American Samoan goalkeeper Nicky Salapu is a record breaker, though his record is not one footballers want to have. He was the goalkeeper during American Samoa’s best known match, against Australia, a 31-0 defeat. It was the worst of an unending series of losses, the team had never won an international match. However a new coach Thomas Rongen inspired them to victory.
Nicky and Thomas share with us their very different journeys, Thomas having played in the US leagues with world famous players before turning to coaching, and Nicky growing up in the South Pacific, from playing football barefoot to achieving fame with a team of footballing underdogs.
The story of American Samoan football is now the subject of a film and documentary, both called Next goal wins.
Presenter: Seyi Rhodes
Producer: Julian Siddle
(Picture: Nicky Salapu, Thomas Rongen and the American Samoan football team: Credit: Thomas Rongen)
Last on
Broadcasts
- Tue 16 Jul 2024 11:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service
- Tue 16 Jul 2024 17:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Tue 16 Jul 2024 21:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Wed 17 Jul 2024 02:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service
Contact Outlook
Info on how we might use your contribution on air
Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary
Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected