Clemens is based in the United States but headed down under to play for the same side in last year’s Courts Homecenters Inter District Championship. He helped Navua pick up their first ever title and is now out for a similar contribution as the club looks to defend its new-found status as top dogs.
He wasted no time in signalling his intent during the league’s opening round last Sunday. Navua faced Nasinu at the TFL National Stadium in Suva and a first-minute strike from their star import was enough to give them a 1-0 win.
Clemens says he was only following orders in hitting the back of the net so early.
“Our coach Gurjit Singh instructed us to come out fast and strong from the first minute of play. I got a good opportunity and was able to score.”
Clemens plays his club football in America for the Bay Area Ambassadors, a California-based side who compete in the northwest division of the National Premier Soccer League, an amateur competition at the fourth tier of the American football pyramid.
The side plays its home games on an artificial pitch at Gladiator Stadium on the campus of Chabot College and Clemens says playing on grass has taken some getting used to.
“It’s different playing in Fiji with the various sorts of fields because in the US we always play on turf fields.”
He loved his first taste of action at Navua last year and is delighted to have returned.
“They were a great host to me,” he says. “I really enjoyed being part of the side and that’s why I wanted to come back.”
The defending champions are in pool two of the tournament with Tavua, Ba, Nasinu and Rewa. They face Tavua on Thursday at Churchill Park in Lautoka from 5.30pm.
Clemens is not the only overseas-based player set to star in the tournament.
Pita Bolaitoga and Tuimasi Manuca – both fresh from winning the 2010 O-League with Papua New Guinea club Hekari United – have signed for Labasa and Ba respectively, while Waitakere United striker Roy Krishna returns as usual to play for his home side Labasa.
A more surprising name to be involved is that of Krishna’s Waitakere team mate Danny Robinson. The goalkeeper will line up between the sticks for Lautoka and brings a wealth of experience to the team.
Robinson, 27, began his career as an apprentice with English club Derby County and went on to have spells at Blackpool and Burton Albion. He came to New Zealand to play for Gisborne City and enjoyed a stint in the national league with Waikato FC before heading north to Waitakere.
“The tournament will be more interesting now with the inclusion of these players,” Fiji Football Association chief executive Bob Kumar says. “The fans are in for a treat.”
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