Joins Nando Pijnaker at Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland. Both Mata and Pijnaker are represented by the same agency. Second time they will be on the same team, previously being together at Grasshopper in Switzerland. https://www.sligorovers.com/max-mata-signs-for-sligo-rovers/
Someone recently posted was odd more Kiwis weren't playing in the Irish League. Well there are a few now!
Likely a good move for Mata, if he ever wants to be in AWs discussions again. Hay ain't picking guys from lower level US football.
Of interest re Pjinaker's signing with Sligo as Flying Kiwis noted, is that the Irish League being mostly a summer comp (calendar year) will overlap 2 seasons with Rio Ave (21/22 & 22/23). So appears they are basically running down his contract in Portugal loaning him out to Sligo, ie no real future it appears at Rio Ave.
Max was a sub at USL level and Thomas is yet to play a pro game and is hardly playing at a top level.
I can't see either of these two pushing out anyone already in the squad, especially when we want to fit in Rojas and Barbs etc to the mix. Let's see how they go first.
Max was a sub at USL level and Thomas is yet to play a pro game and is hardly playing at a top level.
I can't see either of these two pushing out anyone already in the squad, especially when we want to fit in Rojas and Barbs etc to the mix. Let's see how they go first.
Alex Grieve hadn’t played a pro game until about this time last month, and had no NZ youth appearances. Pijnaker has played about 30 first team minutes since leaving Grasshopper start of last season and has been almost a fixture in the national team.
They’re unlikely to be in a first 23, but 3 or 4 good games are probably enough to get into the national team fold, especially given most of the team will miss the first two March games.
Max was a sub at USL level and Thomas is yet to play a pro game and is hardly playing at a top level.
I can't see either of these two pushing out anyone already in the squad, especially when we want to fit in Rojas and Barbs etc to the mix. Let's see how they go first.
Alex Grieve hadn’t played a pro game until about this time last month, and had no NZ youth appearances. Pijnaker has played about 30 first team minutes since leaving Grasshopper start of last season and has been almost a fixture in the national team.
They’re unlikely to be in a first 23, but 3 or 4 good games are probably enough to get into the national team fold, especially given most of the team will miss the first two March games.
They would both need a few injuries to happen to really come into contention, even for a large say 35 man squad.
L Rogerson, Collier, Rojas, Barbaroses, Singh, McCowatt, Just, Champness
De Jong, Greive, Wood - all ahead of Mata for example.
But what is certain is that by being in Europe (even the Irish League) they give themselves a shot. In the USL or NZ domestic leagues, no chance.
Max was a sub at USL level and Thomas is yet to play a pro game and is hardly playing at a top level.
I can't see either of these two pushing out anyone already in the squad, especially when we want to fit in Rojas and Barbs etc to the mix. Let's see how they go first.
Alex Grieve hadn’t played a pro game until about this time last month, and had no NZ youth appearances. Pijnaker has played about 30 first team minutes since leaving Grasshopper start of last season and has been almost a fixture in the national team.
They’re unlikely to be in a first 23, but 3 or 4 good games are probably enough to get into the national team fold, especially given most of the team will miss the first two March games.
You forget nepotism, Alex was at Sacred Heart College with Danny. Nando was at Eastern Suburbs under Danny. Both same agent. Max went to St Kents under Zorro then age group with Zorro & Danny.
Max Mata: “I’m very happy to join Sligo Rovers. When the chance came up I didn’t have to think long about it. I want to play games and I want to score goals and Ireland was very appealing. I’ve played in Europe before and done well and I definitely think I can do it again. I enjoyed the experience in America last season, with a regret of not playing as much as I would have liked. I’m very motivated to come to Sligo, play games, and score goals. I don’t think integration will be a problem being an English-speaking country.
I’m excited to experience the League of Ireland and play here. It’s just a matter of being focused and I’ll be totally committed to succeeding here. Sligo Rovers have been doing well in Ireland, I’ve spoken with the coach about what he wants the team to be and it all added up to me wanting to be in Sligo and achieving both my own targets and those of the team. I was with Nando in Switzerland and with New Zealand obviously so it’ll be a help for sure. It’ll also be good for settling into training and the team so that’s great. I’m looking forward to meeting all my team-mates and making my debut as soon as I can.”
Liam Buckley said: “We’re delighted to get Max. He’s another really good footballer and a forward player to compliment Aidan Keena, Jordan Hamilton and Cillian Heaney who has done well this pre-season. He’s done well in Europe beforehand. From a career point of view he’s on the up and we can see how driven he is and how much he wants to do well in the game. He’s still only 21 and played in the USL Championship last season so he’s coming here with good experience already. He’s most certainly a number nine and can also play in a two. It’s good to have that option. Max is in a very good physical condition and it’ll just be about getting him up to speed from a match point of view and settling into the league.
Both Jordan and Max will be with us this week hopefully and be part of training before the Bohemians game. The squad is close to completion but we remain in the market certainly. There are players out there who are of interest. It’s important to have a squad to get us through the season and that it is balanced. It’s a long season with 40+ games in all competitions and we want to make sure we’re covered. Bringing in Nando, Jordan and Max really compliments the players we have at our disposal. I’m happy with where we’re at, the players are working very hard to be ready for Saturday night and we’re looking forward to getting underway and particularly in front of our own supporters on Saturday night.”
Pijnaker starting & Mata on the bench as Sligo Rovers commence their new Irish season with a trip to St Patrick's Athletic.
Happy 23rd birthday Nando. Kia ora 🇳🇿 🔴⚪️ ❄️ Translate Tweet
FMdrfVUXEAY_hbj.jpeg204.25 KB Hope both these guys get some good game time this season. Didn't realize it was such a long season over there. Domestic cups and league games all up come to about 40 games.
Full game for Pijnaker in a 2-1 win over St Patrick's Athletic. You'd hope he'd stand out in this league. But if he can play 30+ games over the season, that would be great after a long time barely playing.
Mata came on in 86th min, at same 2-1 score.
Kind of funny how that a few years after being at Grasshopper together, are reunited in Ireland. Presume they have the same agent or something.
First start for Mata. Pijnaker there with him as Sligo (6th) travel to Drogheda Utd (8th).
Edit - Sligo 3-0 up at HT & FT. Mata subbed off at 66 mins (3-0). Full game Pijnaker.
Mata assisted their second goal too, and pre-assisted the third! Keen to find that highlights package. Both Kiwis with very impressive performances I hear.
Sligo are absolutely obsessed with Pijnaker. By all accounts (i.e. Twitter chat) he's been one of, if not their best signing in years.
First start for Mata. Pijnaker there with him as Sligo (6th) travel to Drogheda Utd (8th).
Edit - Sligo 3-0 up at HT & FT. Mata subbed off at 66 mins (3-0). Full game Pijnaker.
Mata assisted their second goal too, and pre-assisted the third! Keen to find that highlights package. Both Kiwis with very impressive performances I hear.
Sligo are absolutely obsessed with Pijnaker. By all accounts (i.e. Twitter chat) he's been one of, if not their best signing in years.
I think we all have high hopes for Pijnaker, given how he has really impressed recently for the AWs, and that quality left footed CBs will always be in demand.
I'd hope he only has one season at this level, but yeah for now he just needs to be playing regularly, given his European club career to date has really gone nowhere.
First start for Mata. Pijnaker there with him as Sligo (6th) travel to Drogheda Utd (8th).
Edit - Sligo 3-0 up at HT & FT. Mata subbed off at 66 mins (3-0). Full game Pijnaker.
Mata assisted their second goal too, and pre-assisted the third! Keen to find that highlights package. Both Kiwis with very impressive performances I hear.
Sligo are absolutely obsessed with Pijnaker. By all accounts (i.e. Twitter chat) he's been one of, if not their best signing in years.
I think we all have high hopes for Pijnaker, given how he has really impressed recently for the AWs, and that quality left footed CBs will always be in demand.
I'd hope he only has one season at this level, but yeah for now he just needs to be playing regularly, given his European club career to date has really gone nowhere.
Agreed, just needs the minutes at this stage. If he keeps up his form from the start of this campaign then can imagine a move to a higher level league next season.
Good to see Mata chipping in with an assist in this game too.
Bit of a drop off in form for Sligo after a fast start, with the games coming thick and fast now. Looking at their schedule, a lot of midweek games in the offing.
Excellent to see Mata contributing and Pijnaker getting good minutes too. Hopefully they can turn around this patchy form from the last couple weeks as well.
Plus some Flying Kiwi comments about Mata's form -
Another goal in which Mata was a prominent part, even if he wasn’t able to put it away himself. He’d end up being subbed on the hour mark after picking up a knock but Mata left the game to more strong reviews from the away fans here. Been excellent for Rovers in recent weeks and seems to be earning a proper starting gig. Anyway, that left half an hour to survive for the points and Nando Pijnaker and his mates were put under some genuine pressure towards the end of it. Survive they did though. 1-0 to Sligo Rovers to snap a five-game run without a win. Just what they needed.
Pijanker out of favour? Been on the bench a lot lately.
Maybe but they also play alot of games in the Irish league, often 3 per week. So maybe just some rotation, plus preparing, for him soon being away for 2 weeks with the AWs, so giving other guys some game time.
Pijanker out of favour? Been on the bench a lot lately.
It's a fitness issue. He's revered in Sligo
Ah. They started leaving candles at a statue of his or something? Such an intriguing and definite claim needs some sauce. Also is he open to a loan to the Nix? Asking for a forumite.
Pijanker out of favour? Been on the bench a lot lately.
It's a fitness issue. He's revered in Sligo
Ah. They started leaving candles at a statue of his or something? Such an intriguing and definite claim needs some sauce. Also is he open to a loan to the Nix? Asking for a forumite.
It ain't happening. Why would Pijnaker travel all the way away from Europe for a loan deal back in NZ - with no gtee he'd start ahead of Laws a fellow left sided young player, when he's finally getting regular minutes in a league, that is often a stepping stone to lower league UK football.
Irish League finishes 4th November, just after ALM starts. Who knows by then he could have been signed by a League One side or somewhere similar, or by whatever date his contract at Rio Ave finishes.
He's Ole alumni. Euroland is their mecca. Nix should be able to find the squaddie CB to replace Bozinovski, they seek from ALM castoffs, the NPL or NZ domestic leagues.
