New Zealand international striker Max Mata has struck goalscoring form a week ahead of the All Whites’ game against Egypt, scoring a well-taken double for his Irish club Sligo Rovers.
Mata, who is on loan to the League of Ireland club from English club Shrewsbury Town, scored back-to-back goals halfway through the first half to help send Sligo to third on the table.
It’s his second double in three games, having scored twice in Rovers’ 5-0 win against Dundalk on March 5.
WATCH: All Whites striker Max Mata scores a double for Sligo Rovers against Dundalk >>>>
Mata will join the All Whites for their March international window, in which they will play Egypt on Saturday March 23 (NZT) and either Tunisia or Croatia.
READ MORE: Breakfast kick-off time confirmed for Saturday’s All Whites game against Egypt >>>>
Mata’s All Whites teammate Chris Wood was also on the scoresheet over the weekend, scoring for Nottingham Forest in their 1-1 draw with Luton Town in the English Premier League.
Wood, however, left the field with an apparent injury in the 75th minute.
WATCH: All White Chris Wood scores his ninth EPL goal of the campaign >>>>
Watch Max Mata’s goals
His goals are scored at 1′ 58″ and 3′ 16″ on the highlights video:
Mata (23) was loaned to Rovers in mid-February on a short-term deal by English League One outfit Shrewsbury Town who signed him in August 2023, paying an undisclosed fee to Sligo.
READ MORE: All Whites striker Max Mata completes move to English club Shrewsbury Town >>>>
Mata had struggled for game time at Shrewsbury, and a change of manager saw him drop down the pecking order for selection.
Auckland-born Mata played his club football in New Zealand for Onehunga Sports, Eastern Suburbs and the Wellington Phoenix reserves, and made his All Whites debut in 2019.
Result
Game played on Sunday March 17, 2024
Sligo Rovers 3 (Max Mata 21′, 26′, Wilson Waweru 86′)
Drogheda United 1 (Andrew Quinn 58′)
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