Wanderers’ Papua New Guinea international Tommy Semmy (blue shirt). Photo – Grant Stantiall.
Cambridge’s John Kerkhof Park will host national league football again when some of the country’s top players visit this Sunday, November 18.
Hamilton Wanderers will play Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs in a men’s national league and national youth league double header.
Both clubs are among the early leaders in the ISPS Handa Premiership, New Zealand football’s top domestic competition. The match starts at 2pm.
The curtain raiser at 11am will see rising stars in the National Youth League match between the clubs.
The fixture gives local football fans the chance to check out international players such as All Whites Andre de Jong and Tim Payne who play for Eastern Suburbs, and Papua New Guinea striker Tommy Semmy who turns out for Wanderers.
Payne, who is also the assistant coach of the Lilywhites youth team, has played 14 full internationals for New Zealand as well as representing his country at U-17, U-20 and U-23 level. He’s been on the books of top English club Blackburn Rovers and United States’ club Portland Timbers.
Both teams will be led out by All White greats.
Former All White legend Ricki Herbert – who is Cambridge FC’s Technical Director – is head coach of Wanderers, assisted by son Kale Herbert.
Suburbs are coached by former All White captain Danny Hay, capped 31 times for New Zealand and a former professional with Leeds United, Walsall and Perth Glory.
In the early match, Cambridge FC fans can support Reds players Josh Clarkin and Jack Portegys who are playing in the National Youth League for Wanderers.
The pair will return to John Kerkhof Park for next winter’s Northern League campaign with the Reds.
