The Papua New Guinea international sure has made an impact in his first experience of the continental stage.
The 20-year-old striker scored a brilliant individual goal in his competition debut against Tafea FC on Sunday afternoon, collecting the ball inside his own half before showing a superb turn of pace.
Despite the attention of three defenders, he just grew further and further into the distance before smashing home, the focal point of a 3-2 victory over the Vanuatu side which put Hekari in contention for a berth in the last four.
After making a name for himself playing village football in Papua New Guinea, Semmy played at Besta for two seasons from 2013 before moving to the domestic champions.
Since then he has made a string of appearances for the national U-20 side, while making his senior debut last October against the Philippines.
Despite his pedigree, and the growing target on his back, Semmy says that he doesn’t feel the pressure as Hekari goes in search of a first knockout appearance in the OFC Champions League since winning the tournament in 2010.
“It’s not too much pressure, I just go out and play the game I used to play,” he says. “There’s no pressure.
“I’m just enjoying playing and scoring and representing the club, country and my family”.
The striker hopes that the experience will add weight to his claim for inclusion in Papua New Guinea’s side for the Pacific Games at home. He was included in Ricki Herbert’s U-23 squad for two friendlies in the Solomon Islands last month and with two goals under his belt there, appears to be in top form for someone so early in their career.
“The first game was 1-1 and the second game we beat them 2-1 and I scored two goals there. They have many quality players in the Solomon Islands, but the one thing is they don’t finish their chances but when it came to us we finished them.”
The job of finishing falls squarely on Semmy’s young shoulders and it’s not a responsibility he’s shying away from in the least.
Now Semmy believes he is in the right place as he seeks to further his footballing career by finding a professional club abroad.
“Hekari are a well disciplined club. We don’t do any stupid things,” he says of the culture provided by Jerry Allen’s side. “Hekari have given me many things. I’m thankful for the opportunity.
“Fitness is one thing, but it’s also about the mind. The motto of our club is ‘no pain, no gain’”.
Hekari lost its second game to Team Wellington on Wednesday night and needs to beat Tefana on Friday to have any chance of progressing.
When asked if his side can win it all this year, Semmy’s answer was simple: “definitely”.
“There is no doubt for us. We can make it if all we all sweat on it”.
The next step comes on Friday; Hekari’s match against Tefana kicks off at 4:30pm at ANZ Stadium in Suva.

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