Fiji’s Esala Masi is reported to have been the centre of a soccer coup in Australia.

The former Fiji and Ba soccer captain who led Nadroga in last year’s Inter-District Championship in Ba, is raising eyebrows ‘Down Under’ after he signed a new contract in Brisbane with the Pine Rivers Football Club for the 2009 Brisbane Premier League (BPL).

Pine Rivers Press reported that the club (PRFC) is targeting the 2009 BPL title after having secured Fijian football legend Esala Masi.

In a major coup for the Predators, Masi arrived at Wendy Allison Park after having helped Victorian Premier League side Altona Magic to the 2008 league crown.

The 34-year-old striker, who has signed a 12-month deal with Rivers, played more than 200 National Soccer League games in a 10-year professional career.

He also has been capped 35 times for Fiji and scored almost as many goals, making him one of Fiji’s greatest players.
“Esala is a huge signing for us,” Predators coach Joel Hale said.

“We’d been looking to strengthen our forward line and to take some pressure off Danny Dacey. Someone of Esala’s stature fits that nicely.”

“The squad itself is shaping nicely and with the addition of Esala, there’s no reason why we can’t push for the title,” he said.

Fiji Football Association was among the first to congratulate the stylish striker saying persistence is the key to his success.

“We congratulate him for his success,” he added.

“He is a role model and a good example to our players because he maintained his discipline wherever and whenever he plays. He has gone a long way because of his hard work,” Fiji FA chief executive officer Bob Kumar said.

He said Masi is also available for national duties.

Masi’s fame in Fiji grew during the Oceania World Cup qualifiers in 2001, when he scored nine goals in three games but his efforts in that series were overshadowed by Socceroo Archie Thompson, who scored a world record 13 goals in one game against American Samoa.

Masi was expected to start training with Rivers last night alongside several other big-name recruits, including former Sunshine Coast Fire defender Nathan Starr.

The Predators have trial matches against Burleigh (away on February 7), Redlands (home, February 14) and Tweed Valley (home, February 21), before their first league match against Eastern Suburbs on March 7.

Fijilive

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