All White Aaron Clapham hopes a short stint in New South Wales may thrust him into the A-League shop window - preferably with the Wellington Phoenix.
The 26-year-old Canterbury United midfielder moved to Sydney last Thursday two days after he played for New Zealand A in their 1-0 loss to Jordan in Auckland.
Clapham joined Sydney-based NSW Premier League club APIA-Leichhardt and scored a goal on debut in the Tigers' 3-1 win over a Central Coast Academy team at the weekend.
"This came up at a time where what I really need is to get good games in and to be playing regularly to stay sharp and fit. This was the perfect opportunity to do it," he said.
"I'm still hopeful of something happening with the Phoenix and I think that I suit the style of play they want to be playing now.
"At the same time, there's obviously a lot of A-League teams around Sydney and although it's harder being a visa player [in Australia], being here [in Sydney] certainly puts me in the shop window for a few more teams."
Clapham's path mirrors that of another former Canterbury United favourite Ben Sigmund, and he will be hoping for a similarly happy ending.
Sigmund had a short-season stint in the Victorian Premier League with the Fawkner Blues in 2006 and went on to earn an All Whites recall after seven years in the wilderness.
He convinced then coach Ricki Herbert enough to give him a Phoenix contract and became a fan favourite, twice winning the player of the year award.
The New Zealand A game was Clapham's first match in three months after Canterbury United's season ended in the New Zealand premiership semifinals in late March.
He had only just flown home from an overseas holiday.
"It was tough but I was surprised at how well my fitness held up getting through 90 [minutes] against Jordan and then again on Saturday night, although the body's feeling it a bit today.
"The hardest thing after that time off is the rustiness," he said.
"The first touch is not quite there and the final ball's not quite happening. Against good sides, that's the difference. But all things considered I felt good with how it went."
- © Fairfax NZ News
No comments:
Post a Comment