An underdog Asian football club called Southall United in London is close to losing its ground as their lease comes to end with no funds to help save themselves. But since this is all about sorts and therefore not giving up hope the captain of the team Arshad Warsi enters his team into the Premiere League so that its prize money can save their club. He gets Boman Irani, a disgraced but talented ex-player, to train the team while Bipasha who play's Arshad's cousin, introduces them to John who plays for a non-Asian club. Initially John makes fun and insults the Southall team but when he himself faces racial discrimination in selection to his own team, he joins the Southall United. Although his entry in the team isn't a smooth ride, the team finally bonds and begins to win matches. But just as their team is almost about to win the championship, a twist in the tale ends up with the team facing their biggest challenge. How they overcome it and save their club, is what the rest of the film all about.

So should you go see yet another sport film where the end is painfully obvious?

We'd say a yes because you get to see John improve his acting a great deal from what he has been dishing out for awhile now. It isn't Oscar winning but definitely a step up because he genuinely feels comfortable playing the football player but more than john it is Arshad's acting that is absolutely brilliant. It probably explains why he is upset with the filmmakers for promoting the film as John's. Boman is great as usual while Bipasha's presence does nothing to add to the film. What probably doesn't help the film is that it comes too soon after Chak De India and the euphoria that the film created in India. There will be immense comparisons and that will leave the film looking short and shoddy. But having said that if you can look at Goal and not compare it to CDI then you might walk out of the film feeling you've just watched a good game...

Desi Hits! Rating: 3* out of 5*