Ata_Inia

AJ Inia

AJ Inia

Tongan footballer

Ata Jesse "AJ" Inia (born 25 April 2000) is a Tongan professional footballer who currently plays for Phrae United of the Thai League 2. Upon joining Angkor Tiger of the Cambodian Premier League in 2020, Inia became Tonga's first-ever professional footballer.[1]

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Club career

Inia played for the Melbourne Knights of Australia's NPL Victoria from 2018.[1][2] He competed with the team in the 2019 FFA Cup, including a Round of 32 match against Adelaide United of the A-League.[3] In 2019, Star Weekly noted that "a delicious cross" by Inia resulting in a goal "provided a glimpse into Inia's bright future".[4][5][6]

Inia signed with Angkor Tiger of the Cambodian Premier League at the end of 2020 after having tested with the club. Angkor Tiger staff described him as “lightning fast Tongan winger”. The contract made him Tonga's first-ever professional footballer.[7][1] In June 2021, Khmer Times reported that "Tongan standout Inia" was part of the club's "talented lineup".[8] The publication also reported that Inia was also the first player of Tongan descent to play in the Kingdom of Cambodia.[9] On July 12, 2021, Inia scored his first goal in Cambodia, playing in the position of striker, as Angkor Tiger recorded its sixth straight win in the MCL.[9] Inia equalized in a match against Boeung Ket Angkor FC on November 13, 2021, which ended 1–1.[10]

In December 2021, Inia decided to move his talents to the Thai League, joining Trang FC of the Thai League 3 in a direct transfer from the Angkor Tiger. [11] In late February 2022 he re-joined Caroline Springs George Cross FC of the Victorian State League 1.[12] That season he scored one goal in the league.[13]

In 2023 he returned to Thailand for a short stint with Navy before joining Chainat Hornbill of the Thai League 2.[14][15]

International career

Born in Melbourne, Australia,[16] Inia was a candidate for the Australia under-23 team for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship after representing them in U-18 level, but withdrew due to a change of heart.[1] He later expressed keen interest in representing the homeland of his father and grandparents, stating he would like to play with Tonga at senior level.[7]

Inia has not yet featured for any Tongan national side.[17]

References

  1. [1]
    Rodrigues T. Senase, Jose (28 December 2020). "Tonga's first professional footballer joins Angkor Tiger". Khmer Times. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  2. [2]
    "Melbourne Knights head up the table". Star Weekly. Brimbank & North West. 21 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  3. [3]
    "Confirmed squads for FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 Match Day 3". Football Australia. 6 August 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  4. [4]
    Jenkinson, Lance (29 July 2019). "Sore point for Melbourne Knights". Star Weekly. Brimbank & North West. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  5. [5]
    "AJ Inia: I am keen on playing for Tonga". Oceania Football Center. 20 January 2020. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  6. [6]
    "គ្រូបង្វិកក្លិបអង្គរថាយហ្គ័រ ដាក់ការរំពឹងខ្ពស់លើកីឡាករវ័យក្មេងថ្មី Ata (AJ) Inia". SBM News (in Khmer). Cambodia. 29 December 2020. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  7. [7]
    "Ata – Tonga's First Professional Soccer Player". Matangi Tonga. 30 December 2020. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  8. [8]
    Rodrigues T. Senase, Jose (8 June 2021). "Angkor Tiger hires new assistant coach". Khmer Times. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  9. [9]
    Rodrigues T. Senase, Jose (13 July 2021). "MCL: Angkor Tiger nails 6th straight win". Khmer Times. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  10. [10]
    "2021". Boeung Ket Football Club. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  11. [11]
    "Trang FC photo". Trang FC. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  12. [12]
    "2022 ITC CLEARANCES" (PDF). Football Victoria. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  13. [13]
    "2022 MEN'S STATE LEAGUE TOP GOALSCORERS" (PDF). Football Victoria. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  14. [14]
    "Tonga's AJ Inia signs new professional contract in Thailand". Oceania Football Center. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  15. [15]
    "Tonga's only professional player Inia moves to Thailand's second-tier". Oceania Football Center. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  16. [16]
    Rodriguez T. Senase, Jose (17 February 2021). "Ata Inia: Tonga's first professional footballer readies for Cambodia debut". Khmer Times. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  17. [17]
    Bjerkevoll, Ola (29 December 2020). "Tongan heritage player joins Cambodian team". Football Oceania. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
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