AJ Inia explained

Ata "AJ" Inia
Fullname:Ata Jesse Inia
Birth Date:25 April 2000
Birth Place:Melbourne, Australia
Currentclub:Chanthaburi
Clubnumber:11
Position:Winger
Youthyears1:2015–2017
Youthclubs1:Werribee City
Years1:2018–2019
Clubs1:Melbourne Knights
Caps1:27
Goals1:10
Years2:2020
Clubs2:Caroline Springs George Cross
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2020–2021
Clubs3:Angkor Tiger
Caps3:19
Goals3:2
Years4:2021–2022
Clubs4:Trang
Caps4:4
Goals4:2
Years5:2022
Clubs5:Caroline Springs George Cross
Caps5:1
Goals5:1
Years6:2023
Clubs6:Navy
Caps6:8
Goals6:4
Years7:2023
Clubs7:Chainat Hornbill
Caps7:16
Goals7:2
Years8:2024
Clubs8:Phrae United
Caps8:13
Goals8:0
Years9:2024–
Clubs9:Chanthaburi
Caps9:0
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:2024–
Nationalteam1:Tonga
Club-Update:28 April 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:22 December 2021

Ata Jesse "AJ" Inia (born 25 April 2000) is a Tongan professional footballer who currently plays for Chanthaburi 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]

Club career

Inia played for the Melbourne Knights of Australia's NPL Victoria from 2018.[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] 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. 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. 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.

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

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Rodrigues T. Senase . Jose . 28 December 2020 . Tonga's first professional footballer joins Angkor Tiger . . 2022-06-21 . 10 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230710061658/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50797963/tongas-first-professional-footballer-joins-angkor-tiger/ . live .
  2. News: 21 May 2018 . Melbourne Knights head up the table . Star Weekly . Brimbank & North West . 2022-07-02 . 2 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220702121339/https://brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au/sport/melbourne-knights-head-up-the-table/ . live .
  3. Web site: Confirmed squads for FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 Match Day 3 . 6 August 2019 . Football Australia . 30 July 2021 . 30 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210730194701/https://www.theffacup.com.au/news/confirmed-squads-ffa-cup-2019-round-32-match-day-3 . live .
  4. News: Jenkinson . Lance . 29 July 2019 . Sore point for Melbourne Knights . Star Weekly . Brimbank & North West . 2022-07-02 . 2 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220702120922/https://brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au/sport/sore-point-for-melbourne-knights/ . live .
  5. Web site: AJ Inia: I am keen on playing for Tonga . Oceania Football Center . January 20, 2020 . July 2, 2022 . 31 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131063723/https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2020/01/20/aj-inia-i-am-keen-on-playing-for-tonga/ . live .
  6. News: 29 December 2020 . គ្រូបង្វិកក្លិបអង្គរថាយហ្គ័រ ដាក់ការរំពឹងខ្ពស់លើកីឡាករវ័យក្មេងថ្មី Ata (AJ) Inia . Khmer . SBM News . Cambodia . 2022-06-22 . 6 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406032246/https://sbm.news/articles/5fea9d03cbba9facd0d31929 . live .
  7. News: 30 December 2020 . Ata – Tonga's First Professional Soccer Player . . subscription . 2022-06-22 . 16 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220516054754/https://matangitonga.to/2020/12/30/ata-tonga-s-first-professional-soccer-player . live .
  8. News: Rodrigues T. Senase . Jose . 8 June 2021 . Angkor Tiger hires new assistant coach . . 2022-06-30 . 10 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230710061659/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50870171/angkor-tiger-hires-new-assistant-coach/ . live .
  9. News: Rodrigues T. Senase . Jose . July 13, 2021 . MCL: Angkor Tiger nails 6th straight win . . 2022-06-30 . 10 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230710061720/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50892845/mcl-angkor-tiger-nails-6th-straight-win/ . live .
  10. Web site: 2021 . 2022-06-28 . Boeung Ket Football Club . 16 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816020518/http://www.boeungketfc.com/archives/match_season/2021 . live .
  11. Web site: Trang FC photo . Trang FC . 11 January 2022 . 10 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230710061707/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftrangfcmedia%2Fphotos%2Fp.1604986346500863%2F1604986346500863%2F%3Ftype%3D1%26theater . live .
  12. Web site: 2022 ITC CLEARANCES . Football Victoria . 6 January 2023 . 6 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230106020026/https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/sites/ffv/files/2022-03/2022%20Clearance%20Records_1.pdf . live .
  13. Web site: 2022 MEN'S STATE LEAGUE TOP GOALSCORERS . Football Victoria . 6 January 2023 . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313135930/https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/sites/ffv/files/2022-10/2022_MSL_TopGoalscorer_ALL_0.pdf . live .
  14. Web site: Tonga’s AJ Inia signs new professional contract in Thailand . Oceania Football Center . 27 September 2023.
  15. Web site: Tonga’s only professional player Inia moves to Thailand’s second-tier . Oceania Football Center . 27 September 2023.
  16. Web site: Rodriguez T. Senase . Jose . 17 February 2021 . Ata Inia: Tonga's first professional footballer readies for Cambodia debut . 30 July 2021 . . 10 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230710061659/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50814997/ata-inia-tongas-first-professional-footballer-readies-for-cambodia-debut/ . live .
  17. News: Bjerkevoll . Ola . 29 December 2020 . Tongan heritage player joins Cambodian team . Football Oceania . 2022-06-22 . 2 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220702142356/https://footballoceania.com/2020/12/29/tongan-heritage-player-join-cambodian-team/ . live .