Semmy joins Magic

Sports

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PAPUA New Guinea international Tommy Semmy has signed a one-year deal with Victorian-based Altona Magic for next season in Australia’s second-tier football competition.
The 27-year-old said he signed with the National Premier League club two months ago, but an official announcement was made on Altona’s social media pages earlier this week.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the club,” Semmy told The National yesterday.
“It’s a great feeling just like when I was part of the Hamilton Wanderers in New Zealand and my recent stint with Newcastle Jets.
“New Zealand has become home to me, especially Hamilton.
“But I’m enjoying my career.
“Regardless of being in a different country, the feeling of football is just the same.
“My aim here is to help the team and do what we all love doing.
“I’d like to get into the A-League (Australia’s top flight) and advance further.”
The Morobe native said he was now based in Melbourne after he kicked off pre-season training with Altona a few weeks ago.
When asked how he felt about the change in scenery, Semmy said he was grateful to God for the opportunity.
“Your talents bring you to where you are, but your attitude can drop you from that spot,” he said.
“So my advice to other players is that being humble is the key.”
Meanwhile, Semmy said he would be available for representative duties for next year’s Fifa World Cup regional qualifiers in Qatar.
“I appreciate the opportunity that the PNG Football Association has given to me,” he said.
“I can’t wait to help the team and make my nation proud.”
But Semmy said it was not easy to play in such competitions.
“We all need to put our heads together and work hard to qualify,” he said.