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Thirty One Nil
In a tiny, decaying aluminium smelting town in southern Tajikistan, a short drive from a raging war zone, Afghanistan take on Palestine in the first Asian qualifier for 2014’s World Cup in Brazil. Every player on both teams is risking something by playing: their careers, their families, even their lives. Yet, along with thousands of other footballers backed by millions of supporters, they all dream of snatching one of the precious 32 places at the finals; and so begins a three-year epic struggle – long before the usual suspects start their higher-profile qualifying campaigns under the spotlight.
Named after the greatest victory (and defeat) that the World Cup qualifiers have ever seen (Australia’s 31-0 victory over American Samoa), Thirty-One Nil is the story of how footballers from all corners of the globe begin their journey chasing a place at the World Cup Finals. It celebrates the part-time priests, princes and hopeless chancers who dream of making it to Brazil, in defiance of the staggering odds stacked against them. It tells the story of teams who have struggled for their very existence through political and social turmoil, from which they will very occasionally emerge into international stardom.
From the endlessly humiliated San Marino to lowly Haiti; from war-torn Lebanon to the oppressed and fleet-footed players of Eritrea, in Thirty-One Nil James Montague gets intimately and often dangerously close to some of the world’s most extraordinary teams, and tells their exceptional stories.
Named after the greatest victory (and defeat) that the World Cup qualifiers have ever seen (Australia’s 31-0 victory over American Samoa), Thirty-One Nil is the story of how footballers from all corners of the globe begin their journey chasing a place at the World Cup Finals. It celebrates the part-time priests, princes and hopeless chancers who dream of making it to Brazil, in defiance of the staggering odds stacked against them. It tells the story of teams who have struggled for their very existence through political and social turmoil, from which they will very occasionally emerge into international stardom.
From the endlessly humiliated San Marino to lowly Haiti; from war-torn Lebanon to the oppressed and fleet-footed players of Eritrea, in Thirty-One Nil James Montague gets intimately and often dangerously close to some of the world’s most extraordinary teams, and tells their exceptional stories.
344 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2014
24 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
James Montague
21 books89 followersJames Montague is an author and journalist from Chelmsford, Essex.
He has reported for the New York Times, BBC World Service, Delayed Gratification and The Blizzard, amongst others, and has reported from over 100 different countries and unrecognised territories.
He is the author of four highly-praised football books - When Friday Comes, Thirty One Nil, The Billionaires Club and 1312: Among the Ultras - and is a two time winner of Football Book of the Year at the British Sports Book of the Year awards.
His fifth book, Engulfed: How Saudi Arabia Bought Sport, and the World, will be published in the spring of 2025.
He has reported for the New York Times, BBC World Service, Delayed Gratification and The Blizzard, amongst others, and has reported from over 100 different countries and unrecognised territories.
He is the author of four highly-praised football books - When Friday Comes, Thirty One Nil, The Billionaires Club and 1312: Among the Ultras - and is a two time winner of Football Book of the Year at the British Sports Book of the Year awards.
His fifth book, Engulfed: How Saudi Arabia Bought Sport, and the World, will be published in the spring of 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 12, 2025
My random soccer book readings continue with this little gem of a read. Thirty-One Nil tells the story of mostly the minnows, the unfancied, the mostly little or struggling countries paths to trying to qualify for the Brazil hosted World Cup Finals in 2014, following the likes of Palestine, Egypt, San Marino, Tahiti, Rwanda, American Samoa and more. At parts a look at the 21st Century through a soccer lens (Arab Spring), at parts looking at how soccer can unite nations (Lebanon, Croatia etc.), and also in parts how World Cup qualifying participation is a step on the road to nationhood (Palestine, Kosovo etc.). One of those wonderful reads that says more about the global conditions of its time than more formal academic reads do! Most of all, this book tells so many intriguing personal stories of strangers (football managers) in a strange land. A solid Four Star, 8 out of 12 surprisingly fascinating read!
2025 read
2025 read
January 23, 2016
From the Palestinian team in the West Bank to the Serbia vs Croatia rivalry; from American Samoa, a team that once lost a match by 31 goals, to the reclusive and well-guarded Eritrea team, from Afghanistan to Haiti, Rwanda to Egypt, this book explores many questions which all have a common theme: football.
What defines an international football team? Is it a flag, international recognition or the feeling of belonging to a specific ethnic group? What social impact does international football have on each nation and on the world as a whole? How can poor, war-ravaged countries dream of a better future, where they stand tall, proud and victorious, even if this dream only lasts 90 minutes?
The author travelled far and wide to follow the road to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, narrating the stories of many unsung heroes who sacrificed a lot to represent their country at international level.
The book also focuses on the minnows – San Marino, Monserrat, Antigua and Barbuda – these teams may be small and lose games often (watch out for mighty Iceland however!), but they all share the love for the beautiful game. The lack of international superstars who earn shocking wages, the ‘normality’ of those players gives us a refreshing look at football at elite level and moves us and inspires us.
What defines an international football team? Is it a flag, international recognition or the feeling of belonging to a specific ethnic group? What social impact does international football have on each nation and on the world as a whole? How can poor, war-ravaged countries dream of a better future, where they stand tall, proud and victorious, even if this dream only lasts 90 minutes?
The author travelled far and wide to follow the road to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, narrating the stories of many unsung heroes who sacrificed a lot to represent their country at international level.
The book also focuses on the minnows – San Marino, Monserrat, Antigua and Barbuda – these teams may be small and lose games often (watch out for mighty Iceland however!), but they all share the love for the beautiful game. The lack of international superstars who earn shocking wages, the ‘normality’ of those players gives us a refreshing look at football at elite level and moves us and inspires us.
January 31, 2023
An epic travel odyssey mixed with a soccer book, I closed the final page in awe of what the author experienced of the world in just a four-year period. An amazing thesis, to travel to the most remote and far-flung World Cup qualifiers on the planet and tell a story, turned into an incredible tale of human perseverance and triumph in the face of often horrible odds. The soccer often played second-fiddle to the human side of things: from meeting players secretly planning to flee repressive Eritrea, troubles of teams getting through the Israel-Palestine border, police brutality and political strife in Brazil, Haiti trying to use soccer as a means to heal following the earthquake, a goalie facing down his own demons from the world’s worst defeat in American Samoa, nationalism and supporter culture in Eastern Europe, and the fallout from a deadly riot in Egypt, these stories are fascinating and complex. Montauge does a brilliant job handling difficult and nuanced issues with respectful analysis.
Quite frankly, the best sports book I have ever read. Don’t miss it.
Quite frankly, the best sports book I have ever read. Don’t miss it.
September 17, 2018
To begin with, my envy of James Montague knows no bounds. I've often daydreamed about writing this story. Travelling the world, getting to know players, coaches, and fans on every continent, and then telling the story to others seems like the best possible job. I'm not about to leave my family or my job to do it...fortunately, there's Mr. Montague.
James Montague takes the reader through the peaks and valleys of World Cup quests by venturing to the literal peaks and valleys of our world. From Krygyzstan's cliffs where displaced nations like Syria and Afghanistan have to face off, to the low lying islands of American Samoa, he helps us see what it was like for nations to embark on the road to Rio for the 2014 FIFA Men's World Cup. Along the way you meet quirky coaches and passionate players. While you understand the people beautifully, the games almost seem like an after thought. To be fair, a play-by-play book might have been impossible, but more vivid game highlights would much appreciated.
Still, the actual results are not the focus of the story. Through it all Montague helps readers who may never have known or thought about the game on these far flung fields feel like they are there, because we, like Montague himself, have to adjust our expectations and engagement with others. Montague and the world travelers he interviews code-switch frequently between what they've known and take for granted and what others need or expect. The national trauma of genocide, the role of religion, the biases bred from new immigrants, all of them are processed and adjusted to in order to keep the story swimming along. Anyone who code-switches (which is to say everyone) can understand that, even if they don't get the game, or the nations he covers.
I really liked Montague's work, even though I wish I had been the one to write it. I bet, if you're a fan of the beautiful game or the beautiful world we live in, you will too.
James Montague takes the reader through the peaks and valleys of World Cup quests by venturing to the literal peaks and valleys of our world. From Krygyzstan's cliffs where displaced nations like Syria and Afghanistan have to face off, to the low lying islands of American Samoa, he helps us see what it was like for nations to embark on the road to Rio for the 2014 FIFA Men's World Cup. Along the way you meet quirky coaches and passionate players. While you understand the people beautifully, the games almost seem like an after thought. To be fair, a play-by-play book might have been impossible, but more vivid game highlights would much appreciated.
Still, the actual results are not the focus of the story. Through it all Montague helps readers who may never have known or thought about the game on these far flung fields feel like they are there, because we, like Montague himself, have to adjust our expectations and engagement with others. Montague and the world travelers he interviews code-switch frequently between what they've known and take for granted and what others need or expect. The national trauma of genocide, the role of religion, the biases bred from new immigrants, all of them are processed and adjusted to in order to keep the story swimming along. Anyone who code-switches (which is to say everyone) can understand that, even if they don't get the game, or the nations he covers.
I really liked Montague's work, even though I wish I had been the one to write it. I bet, if you're a fan of the beautiful game or the beautiful world we live in, you will too.
October 3, 2016
I decided to read this book as the new campaign for the World Cup started in Europe...and was getting close to the hexagonal in CONCACAF. I loved the book. The chapters about the tiny Caribbean states, or Pacific Islands or Lebanon are some of the best ones. I truly enjoyed reading about pure passion for this game...no betting schemes, no doping, just playing for fun - the story of the Antiguan players fishing in a pond in Florida made me laugh. Montague has a true talent for the type of sports writing/story-telling that only a few writers around the world have/had - some writers from L'Equipe or someone like Ioan Chirila from Gazeta Sporturilor.
I am looking forward to his next book.
I am looking forward to his next book.
February 6, 2017
not so good: a rather rambling travelogue through some of the world's hot spots which happen to be underachivers in football. The author appears to be naive, but I'm not so sure: He doesn't tell you anything to help you understand the conflicts, merely mentions that they have happened and that they still influence football fans and players. Nor does he shy away from chatting, more or lees amicably, with the MPs of Jobik in Hungary
December 3, 2024
"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."
December 7, 2019
James Montague’s Thirty-One Nil is a sweeping travelogue detailing the fortunes of a number of national teams as they battle through qualifiers in the lead up to the 2014 World Cup. These teams all share ‘outsider’ status in some respect, whether it be for political reasons or because of their lowly status. Author James Montague teases out the difficulties national teams such as—but not restricted to—Haiti, Egypt, Lebanon, American Samoa, and Eritrea faced in putting a team on the park.
Travelogue, geopolitical essay, adventure story—Thirty-One Nil can be described as all of these. Montague covers riots in Egypt and Brazil; questions Sepp Blatter about Kosovo; goes fishing with players of the Antigua and Barbuda national team; gets drunk in a seedy Curacao bar; and even gets tear gassed and shocked out of sense by a stun grenade. Montague writes from the edge of his seat, and has duly earned the plaudit of ‘The Indiana Jones of soccer writing’ from Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl.
Montague’s writing shines when he narrows his focus on minnows such as American Samoa, the Caribbean nations, and (the then-lowly) Iceland. The stories of Nicky Salapu (the goalkeeper on the losing end of the 31-0 scoreline to Australia in 2001) and Jaiyah Saelua make for great reading, and Iceland’s goalkeeper-cum-filmmaker Hannes Halldórsson is given a platform in Thirty-One Nil long before he made a name for himself in the 2018 World Cup.
Antigua and Barbuda’s search for descendent talent in England is also worth mentioning, as well as Bob Bradley’s challenges in guiding Egypt (which features a young Mohamed Salah, and national icon Mohamed Aboutrika) through the qualifiers. Although the state of the national setups in 2014 are not reflective of the setups at the time of reading (2019), Thirty-One Nil nevertheless echoes the problems that face national teams in the present day due to complex political and social issues.
Montague has certainly chalked up the air miles in Thirty-One Nil. The book has a ‘written on the fly’ feel to it, and as such the writing often lacks cohesion and the chapters read like despatches from a coldly-observing foreign correspondent. The political exposition has a place in the book, but could have done with some pruning to break up overly-long paragraphs.
Some passages come across as insensitive and flippant, such as Montague comparing Haiti’s airport to ground zero of a “zombie apocalypse”, and the use of “bloodbath”, “sacrificial meat”, and “mauling” to describe unflattering score lines alongside chapters covering the Rwandan genocide and the Port Said Stadium riot.
Montague is a daring writer and intrepid traveller, and he has a talent for throwing himself into the moment. However, in travelling all over the world to gather his stories, he has perhaps spread himself too thin. As such, he doesn’t do full justice to one singular format, whether it be travelogue, geopolitical essay, or adventure story. There is undoubted quality in the pages of Thirty-One Nil, however a narrower focus that eschews historical and political exposition would have better served the main characters in this book, and their footballing lives as ‘outsiders’.
HIGHLIGHTED PASSAGE
STARS: 2.5/5
UNDER 20: A gritty footballing travelogue, geopolitical essay, and adventure story rolled into one—yet lacking a unifying flavour.
FULL-TIME SCORE: A 2-1 loss away from home. Away attacks were fully-fledged and brave, yet sporadic.
Travelogue, geopolitical essay, adventure story—Thirty-One Nil can be described as all of these. Montague covers riots in Egypt and Brazil; questions Sepp Blatter about Kosovo; goes fishing with players of the Antigua and Barbuda national team; gets drunk in a seedy Curacao bar; and even gets tear gassed and shocked out of sense by a stun grenade. Montague writes from the edge of his seat, and has duly earned the plaudit of ‘The Indiana Jones of soccer writing’ from Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl.
Montague’s writing shines when he narrows his focus on minnows such as American Samoa, the Caribbean nations, and (the then-lowly) Iceland. The stories of Nicky Salapu (the goalkeeper on the losing end of the 31-0 scoreline to Australia in 2001) and Jaiyah Saelua make for great reading, and Iceland’s goalkeeper-cum-filmmaker Hannes Halldórsson is given a platform in Thirty-One Nil long before he made a name for himself in the 2018 World Cup.
Nicky Salapu: “I feel like I’ve been let out of prison. I want my son to grow up and don’t want kids chasing him around saying your dad lost 31-0…but if we win this tournament, we will get to Brazil no doubt! Even if we qualify for Brazil, and I don’t make it there, I would die a happy person.” (pg. 100)
Antigua and Barbuda’s search for descendent talent in England is also worth mentioning, as well as Bob Bradley’s challenges in guiding Egypt (which features a young Mohamed Salah, and national icon Mohamed Aboutrika) through the qualifiers. Although the state of the national setups in 2014 are not reflective of the setups at the time of reading (2019), Thirty-One Nil nevertheless echoes the problems that face national teams in the present day due to complex political and social issues.
Montague has certainly chalked up the air miles in Thirty-One Nil. The book has a ‘written on the fly’ feel to it, and as such the writing often lacks cohesion and the chapters read like despatches from a coldly-observing foreign correspondent. The political exposition has a place in the book, but could have done with some pruning to break up overly-long paragraphs.
Some passages come across as insensitive and flippant, such as Montague comparing Haiti’s airport to ground zero of a “zombie apocalypse”, and the use of “bloodbath”, “sacrificial meat”, and “mauling” to describe unflattering score lines alongside chapters covering the Rwandan genocide and the Port Said Stadium riot.
Montague is a daring writer and intrepid traveller, and he has a talent for throwing himself into the moment. However, in travelling all over the world to gather his stories, he has perhaps spread himself too thin. As such, he doesn’t do full justice to one singular format, whether it be travelogue, geopolitical essay, or adventure story. There is undoubted quality in the pages of Thirty-One Nil, however a narrower focus that eschews historical and political exposition would have better served the main characters in this book, and their footballing lives as ‘outsiders’.
HIGHLIGHTED PASSAGE
“When it is time for the ‘extreme underdogs’ of the US Virgin Islands to begin training, they start by running the length of the pitch, back and forth, back and forth. They take shooting practice next. No one manages to hit the target. Balls balloon over the goal, or end up near the corner flag. The maintenance men go about their work, painting and repainting the terrace steps in red, yellow, and blue, only stopping to retrieve any balls that land close to them.” (pg. 50)
STARS: 2.5/5
UNDER 20: A gritty footballing travelogue, geopolitical essay, and adventure story rolled into one—yet lacking a unifying flavour.
FULL-TIME SCORE: A 2-1 loss away from home. Away attacks were fully-fledged and brave, yet sporadic.
October 16, 2020
I tend not to like the over-romanticised tales of rubbish football teams, but I saw this recommended somewhere so I looked past my prejudice. This was not another Up Pohnpei as I had feared, as Montague eventually leaves behind islands with the same population as Stroud or Redditch to go to Switzerland, Egypt and Serbia and watch well-organised national teams play each other. But I wasn't really gripped by these matches either, and to my surprise, was more engaged with the minnows.
Part of this was a natural result of Montague having greater access to the smaller nations, who didn't have much of a press as competition for his time. This allowed him to give the players and coaches a bit of personality, and the matches more of an emotional pull on the reader. In the smaller nations there is naturally a bit more exoticism to attending the match, although in all cases the football is strongly linked to politics given its national importance, which was another facet to the book.
The problem for me was that in the latter half, the political situation was almost the entire story. Without access to the higher profile players and coaches, or only given media-trained platitudes when he did get quotes, a lot of the chapters were a fairly similar description of violence outside the ground, heavy police presence, and a couple of paragraphs about the two teams' match that was the catalyst for so much tension. It isn't that the political tension shouldn't be included, but that we get the idea very quickly when it comes to fan groups hating police. (I wonder if I should give his ultras book a miss).
The second half also seems to move too fast, matches being played quickly and final placings decided, after a first half that had much more description of a single match, with the extra detail giving a better impression of how important one match can be. Details like his non-bribe in a Russian airport and seemingly the only bar in an Uzbek border town (his story of meeting the police chief was very much like Tony Hawks in Moldova) weren't present in the later chapters, which were less rounded.
The last chapter about San Marino also seemed out of place, and I thought more could have been made of it. Due to strict rules on citizenship, only 'pure' Samarinese players can wear the shirt of the national team, whereas most managers' approach is to scour the globe for better eligible players rather than coaching the existing squad. Are naturalised Brazilians much worse than Haitian players who are second generation French and so have very few links to the culture of Port-au-Prince? What is the point of having players represent national FA's if they were brought up in a different country's youth system, coaching and funding? I couldn't root for the teams who cast their net far and wide for any grandson of a nation, which was nearly all of those Montague spoke to.
7 years on from when it was written, a few of the topical scenes (especially Egpyt) feel less relevant now, but it is another reason for me why this sort of writing is better for newspaper or magazine features. Too many in a row and the stories get too similar, and the importance of each one gets diluted into the whole.
Part of this was a natural result of Montague having greater access to the smaller nations, who didn't have much of a press as competition for his time. This allowed him to give the players and coaches a bit of personality, and the matches more of an emotional pull on the reader. In the smaller nations there is naturally a bit more exoticism to attending the match, although in all cases the football is strongly linked to politics given its national importance, which was another facet to the book.
The problem for me was that in the latter half, the political situation was almost the entire story. Without access to the higher profile players and coaches, or only given media-trained platitudes when he did get quotes, a lot of the chapters were a fairly similar description of violence outside the ground, heavy police presence, and a couple of paragraphs about the two teams' match that was the catalyst for so much tension. It isn't that the political tension shouldn't be included, but that we get the idea very quickly when it comes to fan groups hating police. (I wonder if I should give his ultras book a miss).
The second half also seems to move too fast, matches being played quickly and final placings decided, after a first half that had much more description of a single match, with the extra detail giving a better impression of how important one match can be. Details like his non-bribe in a Russian airport and seemingly the only bar in an Uzbek border town (his story of meeting the police chief was very much like Tony Hawks in Moldova) weren't present in the later chapters, which were less rounded.
The last chapter about San Marino also seemed out of place, and I thought more could have been made of it. Due to strict rules on citizenship, only 'pure' Samarinese players can wear the shirt of the national team, whereas most managers' approach is to scour the globe for better eligible players rather than coaching the existing squad. Are naturalised Brazilians much worse than Haitian players who are second generation French and so have very few links to the culture of Port-au-Prince? What is the point of having players represent national FA's if they were brought up in a different country's youth system, coaching and funding? I couldn't root for the teams who cast their net far and wide for any grandson of a nation, which was nearly all of those Montague spoke to.
7 years on from when it was written, a few of the topical scenes (especially Egpyt) feel less relevant now, but it is another reason for me why this sort of writing is better for newspaper or magazine features. Too many in a row and the stories get too similar, and the importance of each one gets diluted into the whole.
January 16, 2024
As an avid football enthusiast, I recently embarked on an extraordinary literary journey with James Montague's masterpiece, "Thirty-One Nil: On the Road With Football's Outsiders: A World Cup Odyssey." Let me begin by saying that this book is nothing short of a captivating, heartwarming, and utterly spellbinding odyssey through the world of football's underdogs.
Montague's narrative is a symphony of emotions, skillfully intertwined with a meticulous exploration of the beautiful game's most unexpected corners. From the very first page, I found myself whisked away into a realm where football transcends borders and becomes a universal language connecting disparate cultures. Montague's prose is not just informative; it's a lyrical celebration of the sport's ability to bridge gaps and forge connections.
What sets "Thirty-One Nil" apart is Montague's talent for storytelling. He deftly weaves personal encounters with football players, fans, and communities, creating a tapestry that captures the essence of the sport's impact on people's lives. Each chapter feels like a mini-adventure, filled with triumphs, setbacks, and moments of sheer joy. As Montague crisscrosses the globe in pursuit of the World Cup's outsiders, he effortlessly invites readers to join him on a rollercoaster of emotions.
One of the book's strengths lies in its exploration of the underdog teams, those often overlooked in the grand scheme of international football. Montague sheds light on their struggles, triumphs, and the unyielding passion that fuels their relentless pursuit of excellence. Through his eyes, I witnessed the resilience and determination of players who defy the odds, transforming the football pitch into a canvas for their dreams.
Montague's attention to detail is commendable. His vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of each country, allowing us to taste the flavors, feel the atmosphere, and immerse ourselves in the unique football cultures that permeate these lands. Whether it's the scorching heat of Iran or the vibrant streets of Trinidad and Tobago, every location is brought to life with a cinematic quality that adds depth to the narrative.
"Thirty-One Nil" is not just a book about football; it's a celebration of humanity. Montague's ability to capture the human spirit, the camaraderie among fans, and the shared ecstasy and heartbreak that define the World Cup experience is truly remarkable. This book is a testament to the universal power of football to unite people across borders and bring joy to even the most unexpected corners of the world.
In conclusion, James Montague's "Thirty-One Nil" is a literary masterpiece that deserves a place on the bookshelf of every football aficionado. It's a journey that transcends the boundaries of the sport, offering readers a passport to the untold stories, emotions, and connections that make football a truly global phenomenon. If you're a fan of the beautiful game or simply appreciate a brilliantly told story, this book is a must-read – an odyssey that will leave an indelible mark on your heart and soul.
Montague's narrative is a symphony of emotions, skillfully intertwined with a meticulous exploration of the beautiful game's most unexpected corners. From the very first page, I found myself whisked away into a realm where football transcends borders and becomes a universal language connecting disparate cultures. Montague's prose is not just informative; it's a lyrical celebration of the sport's ability to bridge gaps and forge connections.
What sets "Thirty-One Nil" apart is Montague's talent for storytelling. He deftly weaves personal encounters with football players, fans, and communities, creating a tapestry that captures the essence of the sport's impact on people's lives. Each chapter feels like a mini-adventure, filled with triumphs, setbacks, and moments of sheer joy. As Montague crisscrosses the globe in pursuit of the World Cup's outsiders, he effortlessly invites readers to join him on a rollercoaster of emotions.
One of the book's strengths lies in its exploration of the underdog teams, those often overlooked in the grand scheme of international football. Montague sheds light on their struggles, triumphs, and the unyielding passion that fuels their relentless pursuit of excellence. Through his eyes, I witnessed the resilience and determination of players who defy the odds, transforming the football pitch into a canvas for their dreams.
Montague's attention to detail is commendable. His vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of each country, allowing us to taste the flavors, feel the atmosphere, and immerse ourselves in the unique football cultures that permeate these lands. Whether it's the scorching heat of Iran or the vibrant streets of Trinidad and Tobago, every location is brought to life with a cinematic quality that adds depth to the narrative.
"Thirty-One Nil" is not just a book about football; it's a celebration of humanity. Montague's ability to capture the human spirit, the camaraderie among fans, and the shared ecstasy and heartbreak that define the World Cup experience is truly remarkable. This book is a testament to the universal power of football to unite people across borders and bring joy to even the most unexpected corners of the world.
In conclusion, James Montague's "Thirty-One Nil" is a literary masterpiece that deserves a place on the bookshelf of every football aficionado. It's a journey that transcends the boundaries of the sport, offering readers a passport to the untold stories, emotions, and connections that make football a truly global phenomenon. If you're a fan of the beautiful game or simply appreciate a brilliantly told story, this book is a must-read – an odyssey that will leave an indelible mark on your heart and soul.
April 23, 2018
Englantilainen James Montague matkusti ympäri maailmaa ja tutustui Brasiliassa pelattuihin jalkapallon MM-kisoihin valmistautuvien joukkueiden karsintarupeamaan eri puolilla maailmaa. Kokomuksensa hän sitten tallensi "Thirty-One Nil: The Amazing Story of World Cup Qualification" -kirjaan. Nimensä kirja sai surullisenkuuluisasta ottelusta, jossa Australia pöllytti Amerikan Samoaa maailmanennätyslukemin 31-0.
Lukukokemus oli ihan viihdyttävä kurkistus kansainvälisen jalkapalloperheen takapihoille eli toisin sanottuna futiskulttuuriin sellaisissa maissa, jotka harvemmin pääsevät valokeilaan urheilullisilla ansioillaan ja tuskin koskaan osaksi ns. maailman suurinta show'ta. James Montague vierailee muun muassa San Marinossa, Haitissa ja Ruandassa, tutustuu kirjan ilmestymisen aikaan edustusoikeuttaan havittelevan Kosovon tilanteeseen, seuraa Antiguan ja Barbudan pelaajien kalastusretkeä vieraspelimatkalla USA:ssa, ja tutustuu Palestiinan maajoukkueen arkeen, josta on kauniisti sanottuna glooria kaukana.
Suosikkiluvussani vieraillaan Amerikan Samoalla ja tutustutaan joukkueeseen, joka ei ole koskaan voittanut ensimmäistäkään peliä ja yrittää toipua maalivahtinsa Nicky Salapun kanssa surullisenkuuluisasta Australia-pelistä. Vuoden 2014 kisojen karsinnoissa pitkä putki viimein katkeaa ja joukkue saavuttaa ensimmäiset voittonsa, mistä kiittäminen on myös keskuspuolustaja Jaiyah Saelualle, ensimmäiselle transsukupuoliselle jalkapalloilijalle, joka on edustanut maataan MM-karsinnoissa.
"Thirty-One Nil" on kiinnostavimmillaan kuvatessaan juuri edellämainittuja futiskääpiöitä, mutta vähän jakomielitautisesti joukkoon on valikoitunut myös kohtalaisen menestyneitä ja kovatasoisia joukkueita, kuten esimerkiksi Kroatia, Romania, Serbia ja Egypti. Montague keskittyy näissä maissa kuvaamaan lähinnä jalkapallon saamia poliittisia ulottuvuuksia, jotka eurooppalaisten maiden osalta ovat kyllä tulleet kerrotuiksi muissakin yhteyksissä. Egyptiä koskevat luvut luotsaavat ihan ansiokkaasti arabikevään tapahtumiin.
Kaiken kaikkiaan ihan viihdyttävä opus, olkoonkin, että se on hieman kiinni kirjoittamisajankohtansa poliittisessa ja urheilullisessa tilanteessa; maailma on jo hieman muuttunut noista viiden vuoden takaisista päivistä.
Lukukokemus oli ihan viihdyttävä kurkistus kansainvälisen jalkapalloperheen takapihoille eli toisin sanottuna futiskulttuuriin sellaisissa maissa, jotka harvemmin pääsevät valokeilaan urheilullisilla ansioillaan ja tuskin koskaan osaksi ns. maailman suurinta show'ta. James Montague vierailee muun muassa San Marinossa, Haitissa ja Ruandassa, tutustuu kirjan ilmestymisen aikaan edustusoikeuttaan havittelevan Kosovon tilanteeseen, seuraa Antiguan ja Barbudan pelaajien kalastusretkeä vieraspelimatkalla USA:ssa, ja tutustuu Palestiinan maajoukkueen arkeen, josta on kauniisti sanottuna glooria kaukana.
Suosikkiluvussani vieraillaan Amerikan Samoalla ja tutustutaan joukkueeseen, joka ei ole koskaan voittanut ensimmäistäkään peliä ja yrittää toipua maalivahtinsa Nicky Salapun kanssa surullisenkuuluisasta Australia-pelistä. Vuoden 2014 kisojen karsinnoissa pitkä putki viimein katkeaa ja joukkue saavuttaa ensimmäiset voittonsa, mistä kiittäminen on myös keskuspuolustaja Jaiyah Saelualle, ensimmäiselle transsukupuoliselle jalkapalloilijalle, joka on edustanut maataan MM-karsinnoissa.
"Thirty-One Nil" on kiinnostavimmillaan kuvatessaan juuri edellämainittuja futiskääpiöitä, mutta vähän jakomielitautisesti joukkoon on valikoitunut myös kohtalaisen menestyneitä ja kovatasoisia joukkueita, kuten esimerkiksi Kroatia, Romania, Serbia ja Egypti. Montague keskittyy näissä maissa kuvaamaan lähinnä jalkapallon saamia poliittisia ulottuvuuksia, jotka eurooppalaisten maiden osalta ovat kyllä tulleet kerrotuiksi muissakin yhteyksissä. Egyptiä koskevat luvut luotsaavat ihan ansiokkaasti arabikevään tapahtumiin.
Kaiken kaikkiaan ihan viihdyttävä opus, olkoonkin, että se on hieman kiinni kirjoittamisajankohtansa poliittisessa ja urheilullisessa tilanteessa; maailma on jo hieman muuttunut noista viiden vuoden takaisista päivistä.
May 25, 2020
Few sports in the world provide a fair chance to each team playing the game.Football is one of those.The book,Thirty one nil(highest margin of victory in an international football match) is one of the best books I have read.This book cannot be categorized in one genre.Its a footballing travelogue where the author goes to all five continents and writes about the significance of the matches.This is a unique book in itself.A world cup qualifier,where say Barbados is playing Grenada,may be just a data in some sports website.But it means a lot to the people of the two nations.Basically,the book tries to answer a few questions:
(1) Why sports cannot be separated from politics? After all,its war without swords.
(2)What makes one gravitate towards sport?
(3)What is a definition of a national football team?Is it the way San Marino or India define it or the way Morocco does it or the way Qatar does it?
(4)What goes on behind the 'insignificant'matches?
I think a football fan should read this book.A World Cup Qualification match, like Sri Lanka vs Bhutan or India vs Bahrain, may be insignificant as a match for a lot of Europeans or South Americans.But the significance lies in the fair chance given to each nation to win the ultimate footballing prize-The FIFA World Cup.My view point about score of an international football match has been changed for ever.
PS:I would have liked a sequel..the 2018 WC edition where teams like Panama and Iceland made their WC debuts.
(1) Why sports cannot be separated from politics? After all,its war without swords.
(2)What makes one gravitate towards sport?
(3)What is a definition of a national football team?Is it the way San Marino or India define it or the way Morocco does it or the way Qatar does it?
(4)What goes on behind the 'insignificant'matches?
I think a football fan should read this book.A World Cup Qualification match, like Sri Lanka vs Bhutan or India vs Bahrain, may be insignificant as a match for a lot of Europeans or South Americans.But the significance lies in the fair chance given to each nation to win the ultimate footballing prize-The FIFA World Cup.My view point about score of an international football match has been changed for ever.
PS:I would have liked a sequel..the 2018 WC edition where teams like Panama and Iceland made their WC debuts.
March 14, 2023
I'll be 100% honest: this book would be a 3/5 stars for me, but only because I am as far as a sports fan as you can be. My eyes glazed over during most play-by-play accounts or when Montague is recounting names that I've never heard of. That said, I'm bumping it up to 4/5 because while I don't really care about the game, Montague's storytelling is superb.
My takeaways as an outsider - similar to almost all teams featured within - is that the underdogs of the soccer (apologies) world are combating more than just an opponent. They have faced historical losses, massacres, civil war, fleeing refugees, corruption, ultra-nationalism, riots, ethnic identity crises, and more.
We see the World Cup as the pinnacle of the game from the lowest rung on the ladder; at least we may have when this book was being written. Brazil, Russia, and finally Qatar have been increasingly heinous in terms of FIFA corruption and most recently in the slavery and mass death of ethnic minorities conducted to build the stadiums for the game.
Soccer may be fun to watch, but at the field level, the stupid ear-flicking = faking-a-grievous-injury is incredibly pathetic. Meanwhile, at the top of the pyramid, fatcats are greasing their palms with blood money. Makes you want to join any of the many revolutionary groups mentioned in this story!!
My takeaways as an outsider - similar to almost all teams featured within - is that the underdogs of the soccer (apologies) world are combating more than just an opponent. They have faced historical losses, massacres, civil war, fleeing refugees, corruption, ultra-nationalism, riots, ethnic identity crises, and more.
We see the World Cup as the pinnacle of the game from the lowest rung on the ladder; at least we may have when this book was being written. Brazil, Russia, and finally Qatar have been increasingly heinous in terms of FIFA corruption and most recently in the slavery and mass death of ethnic minorities conducted to build the stadiums for the game.
Soccer may be fun to watch, but at the field level, the stupid ear-flicking = faking-a-grievous-injury is incredibly pathetic. Meanwhile, at the top of the pyramid, fatcats are greasing their palms with blood money. Makes you want to join any of the many revolutionary groups mentioned in this story!!
September 9, 2020
I'd put this easily as one of the best sports books i've read. many of the essays capture the combination of personal passion and history embedded in a cultural/sociological/political narrative that I love. I want to note that I'm writing this review on the 100th birthday of Roger Angell who is the wonderful essayist who got me started on this genre years and years ago. I'd put this collection in the tradition he defined.
October 31, 2020
This is probably one of the best books I've ever read.
"The story of World Cup qualification? Sure, that sounds interesting." I did not expect this book to go where it did. And it is very clear that the author has gone to really extreme lengths for this book. If you're a football fan, or a general sports fan, or just someone interested in looking at geopolitical issues from a different lens - this is absolutely a book you MUST pick up. I cannot recommend it enough.
"The story of World Cup qualification? Sure, that sounds interesting." I did not expect this book to go where it did. And it is very clear that the author has gone to really extreme lengths for this book. If you're a football fan, or a general sports fan, or just someone interested in looking at geopolitical issues from a different lens - this is absolutely a book you MUST pick up. I cannot recommend it enough.
January 16, 2021
This would be a 2.5 rating if Good Reads allowed.
Loved the idea of this much more than the execution. Had some great moments and a few good insights and definitely gave some perspective on places I knew little about, but I found it a serious struggle to get through to the end. I put it down several times over the course of a couple of years and grudgingly went back just to tick the box and finish it. Having said that, the writing style maybe didn't do it for me and others might love it!
Loved the idea of this much more than the execution. Had some great moments and a few good insights and definitely gave some perspective on places I knew little about, but I found it a serious struggle to get through to the end. I put it down several times over the course of a couple of years and grudgingly went back just to tick the box and finish it. Having said that, the writing style maybe didn't do it for me and others might love it!
June 7, 2021
Boycott the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Boycott organisations that consistently fuck over the little people, who prioritise money over everything else. Football is the most corruption industry in the world, and this needs to be changed. #KSEOUT #BOYCOTTQATAR2022
March 19, 2024
Amazing globe trotting journey, learning about a vast range of culture and geopolitics all through the vessel of football. Montugue's writing style really brings you along the discovery with him and it was a fascinating read.
October 5, 2017
One of the best sports books I have ever read. Engaging, personal, fast-moving, and empathetic.
December 27, 2018
Good geopolitico-footbalistic piece. Too bad that reading it 4 years after the release makes it less powerful.
January 1, 2021
Decent enough book about qualification for the world cup of 2014, with lots of information about the background to some of the smaller nations
October 3, 2021
More geo politics than football but all the better for it. An excellent read
March 16, 2022
Interesting, poignant at times but written in an insistently self important style that grates especially in the present moment. Football doesn't fix all problems.
March 21, 2023
My favorite of the handful of books that combine global conflict and soccer. Balances history, soccer and anecdotes into the author’s reporting perfectly.
October 1, 2024
Loved it so much! James is an incredible author who tells stories so well, including at risks to himself like in the chapter about the Confederations Cup. Just an incredible read!
January 4, 2025
Every chapter is a completely new world. A book that makes you fall in love with the much hated International Football.
October 18, 2025
Great fun
May 5, 2020
Picaresque voyage through the minnows of the football world, from American Samoa to Tonga to the West Indies. The word 'intrepid' was invented for the author.
July 26, 2014
Is this book using football to shine a light on a wide range of differing and challenging social situations across the world, or is it using the lens of a very different set of countries to examine football?
Whistlestop and episodic, these snapshots into the lives of some of the teams and fans vying, usually massively against the odds, to qualify for Brazil 2014 takes in some truly fascinating situations. Football is played against backdrops of war and revolution - either ongoing situations like countries caught up in the Arab Spring, or longer term scars from the countries and almost-countries that made up Yugoslavia. Football is played against a backdrop of hopelessness - the desperate plight of Eritreans in their dictatorship or how American Samoa and San Marino keep going despite the almost complete futility of their efforts.
The book works best when it boils things down to a human level - Egypt's Mohamed Aboutrika and Bob Bradley trying to hold it together as the country collapses and rebuilds itself repeatedly, or Jaiyah Saelua, the American Samoan who also happens to be the world's first openly transgender (as we in the West would understand it) player.
I would give this book an extra half star if I could. It's interesting and informative, although it reads more like a long newspaper article than a weighty book. Definitely recommended though for those who recognise that football cannot be divorced from its surroundings and that there's more to life than the super-drilled, media-trained big names of the countries which usually qualify for the World Cup.
Whistlestop and episodic, these snapshots into the lives of some of the teams and fans vying, usually massively against the odds, to qualify for Brazil 2014 takes in some truly fascinating situations. Football is played against backdrops of war and revolution - either ongoing situations like countries caught up in the Arab Spring, or longer term scars from the countries and almost-countries that made up Yugoslavia. Football is played against a backdrop of hopelessness - the desperate plight of Eritreans in their dictatorship or how American Samoa and San Marino keep going despite the almost complete futility of their efforts.
The book works best when it boils things down to a human level - Egypt's Mohamed Aboutrika and Bob Bradley trying to hold it together as the country collapses and rebuilds itself repeatedly, or Jaiyah Saelua, the American Samoan who also happens to be the world's first openly transgender (as we in the West would understand it) player.
I would give this book an extra half star if I could. It's interesting and informative, although it reads more like a long newspaper article than a weighty book. Definitely recommended though for those who recognise that football cannot be divorced from its surroundings and that there's more to life than the super-drilled, media-trained big names of the countries which usually qualify for the World Cup.
March 12, 2016
In "Thirty-One Nil" British journalist James Montague travels the globe to cover the qualification process for the 2014 World Cup Soccer in Brazil. From the first to the last game he visits the small and exotic national teams, from Palestine to Iceland and from Haiti to Samoa. It is an amazing tour-de-force, logistically, how he gets from and to all these places and gets access to so many officials and players. It makes for some great anecdotes and stories, but unfortunately he tries to do too much too superficially. Consequently, much of the book reads like a combination of a travel guide and a match report, spiced up with the occasional forced literary construction. He describes rather than analyzes, rarely capturing the unique atmosphere of the event. Hence, much of the book falls flat, saved only by the fact that no one else has ever described it.
Don't get me wrong, any lover of culture and soccer will appreciate the book and enjoy several parts of it. Most interesting was his reflection on the meaning of national teams in a globalized world, in the postscript, where he argues that even though more and more teams are selecting players with tenuous connections to the country most people continue to have strong nationalist feelings toward "their" national team. his notwithstanding, I feel that a narrower focus and more in-depth reporting would have created a more gripping read. Which is why I will definitely read his earlier book on the Middle East next.
Don't get me wrong, any lover of culture and soccer will appreciate the book and enjoy several parts of it. Most interesting was his reflection on the meaning of national teams in a globalized world, in the postscript, where he argues that even though more and more teams are selecting players with tenuous connections to the country most people continue to have strong nationalist feelings toward "their" national team. his notwithstanding, I feel that a narrower focus and more in-depth reporting would have created a more gripping read. Which is why I will definitely read his earlier book on the Middle East next.
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