He shoots; he scores and into the archives it goes. The shirt worn by Auckland FC and All Whites defender Nando Pijnaker for the opening two games of Auckland’s FC historic debut season has been accepted into the archives by Auckland Museum.
The shirt, size extra-large and with the number four and Pijnaker on the back, has added significance being the shirt that the 26-year-old scored a last-minute back-heeled goal in against Sydney FC in October 2025.
The 97th minute goal ensured Auckland FC won the game and set the team up for a record-breaking six wins in a row, making them the most successful new team in Australian football history.
Dutch-born, Rotorua-raised Pijnaker was at Auckland Museum to formally hand the shirt over and sign the Deed of Gift.
“I’m grateful to Auckland Museum for accepting the shirt and recognising its significance. A bit like our debut season, it’s not really sunk in and I’m not sure it will until I’m much older and looking back on my career and what we achieved,” says Pijnaker.
“I love this city, our fans, what together we’ve all achieved, and to know a piece of it will always be here is special.”
There to accept it were museum chief executive David Reeves and curator, social history, Jane Groufsky.
“Auckland Museum’s collections are built around stories that shape this city and its people,” Reeves said.
“Objects like Nando’s shirt represent not only a remarkable game, but our sporting culture, community pride and the achievements that make this city.”
Speaking of the goal, Pijnaker said he backheeled it more in hope, than expectation.
“I think you saw from my celebration that I didn’t know for certain where it would end up. The ball just fell to me and back-heeling it towards goal felt the simplest thing to do. The crowd were celebrating before I had time to turn around and see it in the back of the net,” added Pijnaker.
Also in attendance was Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker. Becker was incredibly proud to see the shirt being handed over.
“As an Aucklander I’m a frequent visitor to the museum, I used to come here a lot when I was a child and gaze at all the various exhibits. To know a piece of Auckland FC will always be here, for young kids with big dreams to gaze up at, is huge, both personally and professionally,” says Becker.
“When we started this club, we talked a lot about making ourselves part of the fabric of the city and being a team Auckland can be proud of. The job is never done, but it is moments like today that make you realise you’re on the right track.”
