Mohammed Rajani (born 16 April 1999) is a footballer who plays as a winger. Born in Australia, he represents Tonga at international level.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mohammed Rajani | ||
| Date of birth | 16 April 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Sydney, Australia[1] | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016 | APIA Leichhardt Tigers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2020 | Rockdale Ilinden FC | ||
| 2020–2021 | St George FC | ||
| 2023 | Rockdale Ilinden | ||
| International career | |||
| 2018 | Tonga U20 | 5 | (2) |
| 2019 | Tonga U23 | 3 | (0) |
| 2023– | Tonga | 4 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 January 2024 | |||
Early life and career
editRajani was born in Sydney, Australia to a Tongan mother, and a Pakistani father[1] making him eligible for Australia, Pakistan, and Tonga. Whilst playing youth football for National Premier Leagues NSW club APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Rajani's eligibility for Tonga was first discovered when his coach at the time travelled to Tonga to assist former Tongan internationals Kilifi Uele and Lui Muavesi with some youth coaching programs.[2]
Rajani spent time in England trialling for several clubs including Accrington Stanley,[3] and has also played at National Premier Leagues NSW[4] for Rockdale Ilinden FC.[5]
National Team
editWith the Tonga Football Association keeping tabs on Rajani and other footballers with Tongan nationality spread throughout Australasia and the South Pacific, he was called into the Tonga U20s set up for the 2018 OFC U-19 Championship in Tahiti, where he scored two goals on debut in the qualifying round against Cook Islands U20s[6][7]
Rajini participated in the 2019 Olympic Qualifying tournament, however finished last in their group, and failed to qualify.[2]
Rajini would go on to make his full national team debut for Tonga during the 2023 Pacific Games, making his debut in a 7–0 loss to New Caledonia.[8] Despite a disappointing performance by Tonga, Rajini would go on to net his first senior international goal for his country against American Samoa in the 11th place playoff as Tonga ran out 6-2 winners.[9]
International goals
edit- Scores and results list Tonga's goal tally first.[10]
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 30 November 2003 | SIFF Academy Field, Honiara, Solomon Islands |  American Samoa |
6–2 | 6–2 | 2023 Pacific Games |
References
edit- ^ a b "Mohammed Rajini proud of Tongan Heritage". LOOP Pacific News. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Mohammad Rajani: Tonga football needs to grow". Oceania Football Center. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Mohammad Rajani". No. Oceania Football Center. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Tonga Football Duo Develop Tight-Knit Bond". Box Score. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ Soakai, Tia. "MOHAMMAD RAJANI PROUD OF TONGAN HERITAGE". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ Ola, Bjerkevoll. "Rajani believes football is growing in Tonga". FootballOceania. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ Pere, Alex. "Tonga and Samoa in the driving seat after Match Day 1 at the CIFA Academy". Cook Islands Football. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ Ola, Bjerkevoll. "Pacific Games Matchday 1 roundup: Plenty of goals". FootballOceania. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Match Report" (PDF). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Uele, Kilifi". National Football Teams. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
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