Auckland FC's Nando Pijnaker scores against Sydney and celebrates, on Sunday. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
Analysis - Nando Pijnaker etched his name into Auckland FC folklore over the weekend. In the final seconds of seven added minutes, an inventive backheel from the centre-back clinched a memorable 1-0 win over Sydney FC at Mount Smart.
In doing so, Auckland became only the second franchise in history to win their first two A-League games and Pijnaker was the well-deserved hero, albeit an unlikely one - this was only his second professional club goal.
Pijnaker stood out in defence, alongside the impressive Dan Hall, repeatedly putting his body on the line as Auckland weathered pressure from their more established opponents.
Pijnaker also earned his moment, symbolising why a second professional football team in New Zealand was needed and viable. His journey has taken him to Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, and Ireland - quite the whirlwind for a 25-year-old from Ngongotahā in Rotorua.
Pijnaker takes a kick. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
Such far-flung stops left him relatively unknown to many, including the Sky Sports team, who misspelt his Dutch surname, "Pijnaker," as "Pijanker" on two separate occasions during his All Whites appearances.
In the past, Pijnaker's only option to return home was the Phoenix - a fine opportunity, but limited. This summer, he felt his time abroad had run its course, and Auckland offered him a new path, one where he could reunite with longtime teammate Max Mata, be close to family, and potentially cement his spot as a starting All White.
Auckland FC now offers a compelling alternative for players like Pijnaker and Mata, who may have been open to returning to New Zealand if it meant being based in Auckland rather than Wellington.
Cam Howieson is another example. His first professional start since a Scottish Championship game for St Mirren in 2016 came at the weekend. In the interim, he was the beating heart of Auckland City in the National League, until a professional option close to home finally emerged. Logan Rogerson is another, a former Phoenix player spun out to the backwaters of Finland and Armenia - but now home again.
Auckland FC v Sydney FC on Sunday 28 October, at Go Media Stadium, Mt Smart, Auckland. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
Other players - Liam Gillion, Francis De Vries, Luis Toomey, Joseph Knowles, Adama Coulibaly, Finn McKenlay, and Oli Middleton - have also signed with the fledgling franchise. All are either from Auckland or were playing National League football there last season.
There's nothing wrong with the setup at the Phoenix; it's a solid pathway, as shown by Auckland goalkeeper Alex Paulsen. However, he still had to relocate from Tāmaki Makaurau to make it in Wellington. Now, that's no longer a requirement, which can only benefit New Zealand's football scene - especially for the young talent north of the capital who may now see a homegrown path forward.
