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In 2001, the American Samoa football team set a rather unwanted world record. In a World Cup qualifying match against Australia, they lost 31-0, the biggest ever defeat in an international football match.

The greatest underdog story of all time? That makes it fertile territory for Taika Waititi, the gifted writer-director behind Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok and the Oscar- winning Jojo Rabbit, who has also brought us such brilliant outsider stories as What We Do In The Shadows and Hunt For The Wilderpeople.

Based on a true story and inspired by the 2014 documentary, Next Goal Wins is a feel-good charmer, though one that carries important underlying messages about community, togetherness and inclusivity.

Years on from the humiliating record loss, and with the team at the bottom of the FIFA rankings, a new coach is sent out to the tiny Pacific island: Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender). Already, he's undergoing issues of his own – not least that his ex-wife Gail (Elisabeth Moss) is now seeing the head of the American Soccer Federation, Alex Magnussen (Will Arnett).

An ill-tempered hothead, Rongen is arguably a terrible choice to coach anybody, but Tavita (Oscar Kightley), the head of the American Samoa Football Federation, is convinced otherwise.

It's now 2011, with American Samoa facing a crucial World Cup qualifying match. Their opponents are the Independent State of Samoa. Soon, the whole island becomes invested in the outcome, as the volatile Rongen and assistant coach Ace (David Fane) attempt to turn this team of losers into born winners.

Waititi perfectly blends the Hollywood talents of Fassbender, Moss and Arnett with the Polynesian ensemble cast, lending the story a wonderfully authentic feel. The film also finds warm-heartedness in the timeless tropes of the sports drama, something that will be familiar to anyone who watched Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso or such movie staples of the genre as Cool Runnings or The Mighty Ducks.

Destined to appeal to a far wider net than just football fans, however, Next Goal Wins emerges as a film with bags of charm, made possible by Waititi's comic touch, a joke-filled script and some hugely appealing performances – particularly from Fassbender.

Above all, though, it's an inspirational story about acceptance and never giving up, one that will warm the soul in the way so many Taika Waititi films do. It lands bang on target.  James Mottram

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