” Penguins Stopped Play” meets ” Cool Runnings” in this hilarious & uplifting true story of footballing triumph against all the odds, set on a Pacific isl&. After one too many late night discussions, football journalist Paul Watson & his mate Matthew Conrad decide to find the world`s worst national team, become naturalised citizens of that country & play for them
- achieving their joint boyhood dream of playing international football & winning a `cap`. They are thrilled when Wikipedia leads them to Pohnpei, a tiny, remote island in the Pacific whose long-defunct football team is described as `the weakest in the world`. They contact Pohnpei`s Football Association & discover what it needs most urgently is leadership. So Paul & Matt travel thousands of miles, leaving behind jobs, families & girlfriends to train a rag-tag bunch of novice footballers who barely understand the rules of the game. ” Up Pohnpei” tells the story of their quest to coach the team & eventually, organise an international fixture
- Pohnpei`s first since a 16-1 defeat many years ago. With funding, a population whose obesity rate is 90 percent & toad-infested in facilities one of the world`s wettest climates, their journey is beset by obstacles from the outset. Part travelogue, part quest, ” Up Pohnpei” shows how the passion & determination of two young men can change the face of football
- & the lives of total strangers
- on the other side of the world.