Max Mata nearly overshadowed Stephen Kenny and James McClean’s departure from the international sporting scene last November. When Kenny was released as the Ireland’s manager and McClean retired after 103 caps, the forward from Sligo Rovers threatened to upstage their exit.
With a dwindling audience remaining in the Aviva Stadium, those vigilant enough would have noticed the seventh cap, and fifth substitute appearance, for Mata – a proud Aucklander of Cook Island descent. His opportunities are shaped primarily due to his Nottingham Forest counterpart, Chris Wood, holding the All Whites number 9 position.
In the final moments of Kenny’s tenure, an unmarked Matthew Garbett managed to even the score to 1-1 with a powerful shot from outside the Irish box. The hosting team’s inability to fight back allowed the 104th globally-ranked football nation to capitalise on an infrequent breakthrough.
23 years old Mata was brought in by Darren Bazeley to seal Ireland’s fate on Lansdowne Road. Despite missing out on a trio of opportunities – a shoot and spin that flew high, an inaccurate header after overtaking Ryan Manning, and a near-miss toe poke thwarted by Mark Travers – Mata remembers the game as a pretty lacklustre face-off. However, scoring against Ireland on home turf would have been a memorable occasion.
Shrewsbury Town picked up practice through a consistent string of goals; one of them scored in England’s League One. However, a change of management led him swiftly back to the northwest, where he quickly landed back in his former form. With two impressive goals contributing to Sligo Rovers’ 5-0 victory against Dundalk at Oriel Park last Monday, he said it felt incredible to be back on the scoring charts, especially considering the challenging weather.
Shrewsbury’s manager, Paul Hurst, could well feel validated after sending Mata back to the League of Ireland to rekindle his enjoyment for the game and recapture his confidence, before he’s slated to return to Shropshire in June, possibly in time for a League Two season. Nevertheless, Shrewsbury has become a home from home for him. Mata experiences the affection of the Showgrounds in the same way he felt out of sorts at New Meadow, where the Nigerian forward, Dan Udoh, is at the forefront.
A change in management at Shrewsbury meant that Mata found himself out of favour. Without a place in the team, he opted for a loan and was attracted by an offer from Sligo. This decision required no adaptation as he was familiar with the setup. The acceptance of this offer came swiftly.
The eve of this season saw an announcement forcing many rewrites of the League of Ireland predictions, as Mata and the German center-midfielder Fabrice Hartmann both returned on loan, making John Russell’s squad no longer a relegation risk.
Mata expresses his intentions to impress Hurst during his return to England for the preseason, although he admits the unpredictability of football. His strategy is to work hard and see where it leads him.
This Saturday, the Shamrock Rovers will bring a technical prowess to Sligo similar to what Mata has seen in England’s third-tier. He expresses that the English game is heavier on physicality, even if it’s not necessarily faster. The dynamism of the game, he emphasizes, is they must remain alert, waiting for opponents to falter and then seize the opportunity.
He confirms that this different vein of football proves to be more challenging, largely owing to the fact that the number of teams in the league means a great level of physicality and strategic thinking. Despite the difficult circumstances, he appreciates the opportunities to play in different parts of the country.
Unfortunately, attempts at drawing a surfing parallel between Strandhill and Rarotonga fall flat.
Although the Cook Islands are his place of origin, he’s never actually set foot there. His brother Ben has had the opportunity to visit multiple times, being a member of the national team. Despite his attempts, he’s never been able to make a visit work.
His professional football career, from the moment he was discovered by Grasshoppers in Zurich, took him off the beaten track. Stops in an Estonian club, Kalju, the American team Real Monarchs based in Utah, and two spells in Sligo disrupted his plans.
So, how did he from New Zealand end up playing football in Europe? It all began with his performance at the U-17 World Cup in India which caught the eye of potential recruiters. Even now, the ties between European clubs and players like him are growing. The talent is abundant, and seizing the opportunity is key.
Up next in this worldly adventure is a friendly match against Egypt in the city of Abu Dhabi, scheduled for 22nd March. Unfortunately, the beautiful Cook Island beaches are yet to be explored.
Representing New Zealand is always his top priority. Though the chances are limited, around eight games yearly, any footballer can confirm that it is, without doubt, one of the most treasured elements of being a professional player.
The All Whites have made it to the World Cup in 1982 and 2010, aiding in generating unforgettable moments such as Zico’s bicycle kick in 1982 and holding their own against previous champions Italy 14 years ago.
With the tournament now expanded to 48 teams, they stand a higher chance of moving forward for the North American games in 2026.
Each training, their objective is clear: World Cup qualification. They’ve been steadily putting the groundwork in place ever since missing out last time.
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