https://twitter.com/i/status/1454597581518950400
Max Mata (Shrewsbury Town | England) [Loan: Auckland FC | A-League]
https://twitter.com/i/status/1454597581518950400
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/
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.
Ireland is the new Denmark?
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
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.
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.
Happy 23rd birthday Nando.
Kia ora 🇳🇿 🔴⚪️ ❄️
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Happy 23rd birthday Nando.
Kia ora 🇳🇿 🔴⚪️ ❄️
Translate Tweet
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.
Plenty of chances for Pijnaker & Mata to shine.
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.
Edit - Sligo 3-0 up at HT & FT. Mata subbed off at 66 mins (3-0). Full game Pijnaker.
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.
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.
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.
Promising signs all round for the Sligo Kiwis 🇳🇿
Pijnaker an unused sub for Sligo (4th). Rested after his AWs exertions I guess.
No Adam Thomas for Shelbourne.
22 minutes in and Max Mata scored from close range following Karl O’ Sullivan’s corner.
A first #bitored goal
Game finishes 2-2
Sligo Rovers @sligorovers
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.
🎥 | GOAL!
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) April 9, 2022
Max Mata rises highest to head home Karl O'Sullivan's corner and give @sligorovers the lead over @UCDAFC! 🔴⚪️
𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏
Watch live | https://t.co/vfkMjbvRwA 📺#LOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/EhwxhZ2Y9M
Full games Mata & Pijnaker.
A disappointing 2-1 loss for Sligo Rovers but we did get a late goal from Max Mata
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) April 15, 2022
Three goals in two games from the fella… all three were headers #FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/sT1jie53dK
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.
Our team for this evening’s clash 👇
— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) May 14, 2022
Mata and Hamilton don’t make it and Pijnaker not fit enough to start.
Kick off in an hour #bitored pic.twitter.com/8xXma3pZoO
Edit - was a 1-1 draw. Pijnaker an unused sub, and yes Mata not in match day squad. Sligo stay 5th.
Mata not in match day squad & Pijnaker on the bench.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/20/ireland-republic/premier-league/bohemian-football-club/sligo-rovers-fc/3712523/
Edit - Pijnaker on at 68 mins (Sligo down 1-0) in a 2-1 loss
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.
It's a fitness issue. He's revered in Sligo
Pijnaker on the bench & Mata still not in match day squad. Looks like Sligo have reverted to a back 4 of late, maybe coinciding with manager change
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/27/ireland-republic/premier-league/university-college-dublin-football-club/sligo-rovers-fc/3712536/
Edit - looks like Pijnaker an unused sub in a 1-1 draw. Off to Spain now.
Sligo stay 5th, they play next 11th June.
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'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.
Keith O' Dwyer sat down with #bitored striker Max Mata recently to get his thoughts on the season see how he's settling into life in Sligo.
— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) June 2, 2022
''I enjoy the whole community in Sligo because everyone knows everyone and that’s quite cool''.
Read in full: https://t.co/rSZjNt9wjJ pic.twitter.com/GCRZDnLITk
GOAL!
— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) June 11, 2022
Max Mata scores on his return after a Fitzgerald cross.
48 minutes played. #bitored https://t.co/fPzfpAjZnp
Also the interim coach at Sligo, has now been appointed full time I see.
https://www.sligorovers.com/john-russell-appointed-bit-o-red-manager/
Mata starting & Pijnaker not in match day squad.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/24/ireland-republic/premier-league/drogheda-united-football-club/sligo-rovers-fc/3712548/