View source for Esala Masi

{{short description|Fijian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Esala Masi
| fullname = Esala Masinisau
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1974|03|09}}
| birth_place =[[Ba Province|Ba]], Fiji
| height = {{convert|1.78|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| currentclub  =
| clubnumber =
| position = [[Midfielder]] / [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| youthyears1=
| youthclubs1= [[Ba F.C.|Ba]]
| years1 = 1996–1997 
| years2 = 1997–2000
| years3 = 2000–2004  
| years5 = 2004 
| years6 = 2004–2005 
| years7 = 2005
| years8 = 2005
| years9 = 2006
| years10 = 2006–2007 
| years11 = 2008 
| years12 = 2008 
| years13 = 2009 
| years14 = 2010–2013
| clubs1 = [[Gippsland Falcons]] 
| clubs2 = [[Wollongong Wolves FC|Wollongong Wolves]] 
| clubs3 = [[Newcastle Jets FC|Newcastle United]] 
| clubs5 = [[South Cardiff FC|South Cardiff Gunners]] 
| clubs6 = [[Sydney Olympic]]
| clubs7 = → [[Johor FC]] (loan) 
| clubs8 = [[Ba F.C.|Ba]] 
| clubs9 = [[Navua F.C.|Navua]] 
| clubs10 = [[Oakleigh Cannons]] 
| clubs11 = [[Frankston Pines]] 
| clubs12 = [[Altona Magic]] 
| clubs13 = [[Pine Rivers United]] 
| clubs14 =[[Mitchelton Football Club|Mitchelton FC]] 
| caps1 = 28
| goals1 = 6
| caps2 = 77
| goals2 = 19
| caps3 = 96
| goals3 = 18
| caps4 =  
| goals4 =  
| caps5 = 
| goals5 = 
| caps6 = 
| goals6 =
| caps7 = 
| goals7 =
| caps8 = 
| goals8 = 
| caps9 =  
| goals9 =  
| caps10 = 53
| goals10 = 27
| caps11 = 7 
| goals11 = 1
| caps12 = 17
| goals12 = 7
| caps13 = 
| goals13 = 
| caps15 = 
| goals15 = 
| nationalyears1= 1997–2005
| nationalteam1= [[Fiji national football team|Fiji]]
| nationalcaps1= 34 | nationalgoals1 = 31
| manageryears1 = 2015–
| managerclubs1 = [[Mitchelton FC]] (reserves)
| pcupdate = 
| ntupdate = 
}}

'''Esala Masi''' (born 9 March 1974) is a retired [[Fiji]]an footballer, who played as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fijitimes.com/people-near-death-experience/|title=Esala Masi – Fiji Village article}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Married%20life%20inspires%20Masi%20to%20new%20heights%3A%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AJames%20Gardiner%20-%20Back%20of%20the%20net.%E2%80%89%20Herald&%20Newcastle%2C%20N.S.W.%20%5BNewcastle%2C%20N.S.W%5D.%2024%20Sep%202003%3A%2081.%20%20%20%0ANEWCASTLE%20United%20striker%20Esala%20Masi%20has%20a%20spring%20in%20his%20step.%0A%0ACoach%20Ian%20Crook%20sensed%20it%20at%20the%20start%20of%20the%20pre-season.%0A%0ABut%20it%20was%20blindingly%20obvious%20when%20the%20powerful%20Fijian%20fired%20a%20right-foot%20thunderbolt%20into%20the%20back%20of%20the%20Football%20Kingz%20net%20to%20help%20set%20up%20a%20ground-breaking%202-1%20victory%20in%20the%20season%20opener.%0A%0APut%20simply%2C%20Masi%20is%20happy%20on%20and%20off%20the%20field.%0A%0AMasi%20stunned%20everyone%2C%20including%20partner%20Narrelle%2C%20when%20he%20organised%20a%20surprise%20wedding%20in%20his%20home%20village%20of%20Ba%20in%20the%20off-season.%0A%0A%22We%20had%20talked%20about%20getting%20married%20for%20a%20long%20time%2C%22%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%22I%20rang%20the%20family%20back%20home%20and%20told%20them%20my%20plans.%20They%20were%20very%20excited.%0A%0A%22Narrelle%20had%20no%20idea%20until%20we%20got%20there.%0A%0A%22We%20did%20the%20legal%20side%20and%20also%20a%20traditional%20wedding.%20We%20were%20both%20very%20happy.%22%0A%0AThe%20%22other%22%20reason%20Masi%2C%20Narrelle%20and%20two-year-old%20daughter%20Portia%20returnedto%20Fiji%20was%20for%20the%20South%20Pacific%20Games.%0A%0AIt%20was%20also%20a%20joyous%20occasion%2C%20as%20Masi%20skippered%20the%20Fijians%20to%20gold%20and%20scored%2012%20goals%20from%20six%20games%20in%20the%20process.%0A%0A%22It%20was%20the%20first%20time%20Fiji%20had%20won%20gold%20on%20home%20soil%2C%22%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%22That%2C%20combined%20with%20the%20wedding%2C%20gave%20me%20extra%20motivation%20when%20I%20came%20back%20to%20Newcastle.%0A%0A%22I%20was%20determined%20to%20have%20a%20big%20pre-season%20and%20continue%20that%20form.%22%0A%0AIt%20did%20not%20take%20long%20for%20Crook%20to%20notice%20that%20the%20normally%20laid-back%20Masi%20hadreturned%20armed%20with%20a%20new%20attitude.%0A%0A%22He%20seemed%20extra%20motivated%2C%22%20Crook%20said.%0A%0A%22You%20never%20know%20just%20what%20makes%20people%20tick.%0A%0A%22He%20got%20married%20in%20the%20off-season%20and%20maybe%20that%20made%20him%20more%20settled.%0A%0A%22This%20is%20as%20fit%20as%20I%20have%20seen%20him.%0A%0A%22He%20has%20looked%20dangerous%20in%20front%20of%20goal%20and%20his%20finishing%20has%20been%20better.%22%0A%0AMasi%27s%20strike%20against%20the%20Kingz%20was%20his%2040th%20in%20176%20NSL%20games.%20Sixteen%20of%20those%20have%20been%20scored%20in%20the%20red%20and%20blue%20of%20United.%0A%0A%22To%20play%20the%20first%20game%20away%20from%20home%20and%20to%20score%20the%20first%20goal%20for%20the%20team%2C%20I%20was%20very%20happy%2C%22%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%22Crooky%20and%20Gazza%20pushed%20me%20really%20hard%20in%20the%20pre-season.%0A%0A%22I%20trained%20harder%20than%20any%20other%20season%20and%20scored%20a%20few%20goals%2C%20which%20gave%20me%20confidence.%0A%0A%22I%20have%20stayed%20positive%20and%20tried%20to%20carry%20that%20into%20the%20season.%22%0A%0AWith%20last%20season%27s%20main%20artery%20for%20goals%2C%20Joel%20Griffiths%20%2815%29%20and%20Travis%20Dodd%287%29%2C%20gone%2C%20Crook%20is%20hoping%20Masi%20can%20spearhead%20a%20new%20partnership%20with%20Robbie%20Middleby%2C%20Ryan%20Griffths%20and%20Greg%20Owens.%0A%0A%22There%20is%20big%20responsibility%20on%20everybody%20to%20chip%20in%20with%20regard%20to%20goals%2C%22Crook%20said.%0A%0A%22Esala%20gives%20us%20another%20dimension.%22&op=translate|title=Married life inspires Masi to new heights|work=Newcastle Herald|access-date=15 March 2024|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230625080240/https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Married%20life%20inspires%20Masi%20to%20new%20heights:%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AJames%20Gardiner%20-%20Back%20of%20the%20net.%E2%80%89%20Herald;%20Newcastle,%20N.S.W.%20%5BNewcastle,%20N.S.W%5D.%2024%20Sep%202003:%2081.%20%20%20%0ANEWCASTLE%20United%20striker%20Esala%20Masi%20has%20a%20spring%20in%20his%20step.%0A%0ACoach%20Ian%20Crook%20sensed%20it%20at%20the%20start%20of%20the%20pre-season.%0A%0ABut%20it%20was%20blindingly%20obvious%20when%20the%20powerful%20Fijian%20fired%20a%20right-foot%20thunderbolt%20into%20the%20back%20of%20the%20Football%20Kingz%20net%20to%20help%20set%20up%20a%20ground-breaking%202-1%20victory%20in%20the%20season%20opener.%0A%0APut%20simply,%20Masi%20is%20happy%20on%20and%20off%20the%20field.%0A%0AMasi%20stunned%20everyone,%20including%20partner%20Narrelle,%20when%20he%20organised%20a%20surprise%20wedding%20in%20his%20home%20village%20of%20Ba%20in%20the%20off-season.%0A%0A%22We%20had%20talked%20about%20getting%20married%20for%20a%20long%20time,%22%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%22I%20rang%20the%20family%20back%20home%20and%20told%20them%20my%20plans.%20They%20were%20very%20excited.%0A%0A%22Narrelle%20had%20no%20idea%20until%20we%20got%20there.%0A%0A%22We%20did%20the%20legal%20side%20and%20also%20a%20traditional%20wedding.%20We%20were%20both%20very%20happy.%22%0A%0AThe%20%22other%22%20reason%20Masi,%20Narrelle%20and%20two-year-old%20daughter%20Portia%20returnedto%20Fiji%20was%20for%20the%20South%20Pacific%20Games.%0A%0AIt%20was%20also%20a%20joyous%20occasion,%20as%20Masi%20skippered%20the%20Fijians%20to%20gold%20and%20scored%2012%20goals%20from%20six%20games%20in%20the%20process.%0A%0A%22It%20was%20the%20first%20time%20Fiji%20had%20won%20gold%20on%20home%20soil,%22%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%22That,%20combined%20with%20the%20wedding,%20gave%20me%20extra%20motivation%20when%20I%20came%20back%20to%20Newcastle.%0A%0A%22I%20was%20determined%20to%20have%20a%20big%20pre-season%20and%20continue%20that%20form.%22%0A%0AIt%20did%20not%20take%20long%20for%20Crook%20to%20notice%20that%20the%20normally%20laid-back%20Masi%20hadreturned%20armed%20with%20a%20new%20attitude.%0A%0A%22He%20seemed%20extra%20motivated,%22%20Crook%20said.%0A%0A%22You%20never%20know%20just%20what%20makes%20people%20tick.%0A%0A%22He%20got%20married%20in%20the%20off-season%20and%20maybe%20that%20made%20him%20more%20settled.%0A%0A%22This%20is%20as%20fit%20as%20I%20have%20seen%20him.%0A%0A%22He%20has%20looked%20dangerous%20in%20front%20of%20goal%20and%20his%20finishing%20has%20been%20better.%22%0A%0AMasi's%20strike%20against%20the%20Kingz%20was%20his%2040th%20in%20176%20NSL%20games.%20Sixteen%20of%20those%20have%20been%20scored%20in%20the%20red%20and%20blue%20of%20United.%0A%0A%22To%20play%20the%20first%20game%20away%20from%20home%20and%20to%20score%20the%20first%20goal%20for%20the%20team,%20I%20was%20very%20happy,%22%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%22Crooky%20and%20Gazza%20pushed%20me%20really%20hard%20in%20the%20pre-season.%0A%0A%22I%20trained%20harder%20than%20any%20other%20season%20and%20scored%20a%20few%20goals,%20which%20gave%20me%20confidence.%0A%0A%22I%20have%20stayed%20positive%20and%20tried%20to%20carry%20that%20into%20the%20season.%22%0A%0AWith%20last%20season's%20main%20artery%20for%20goals,%20Joel%20Griffiths%20(15)%20and%20Travis%20Dodd(7),%20gone,%20Crook%20is%20hoping%20Masi%20can%20spearhead%20a%20new%20partnership%20with%20Robbie%20Middleby,%20Ryan%20Griffths%20and%20Greg%20Owens.%0A%0A%22There%20is%20big%20responsibility%20on%20everybody%20to%20chip%20in%20with%20regard%20to%20goals,%22Crook%20said.%0A%0A%22Esala%20gives%20us%20another%20dimension.%22&op=translate|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Wolves%20striker%20thrills%20at%20the%20bite&%20closet%20treasures%3A%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AIllawarra%20Mercury&%20Wollongong%2C%20N.S.W.%20%5BWollongong%2C%20N.S.W%5D.%2026%20Jan%201999%3A%2029.%20%20%20%0AWOLLONGONG%20Wolves%20striker%20Esala%20Masi%20feels%20most%20comfortable%20when%20he%27s%20on%20the%20field.%0A%0ABut%20when%20it%27s%20time%20for%20leisure%2C%20the%20Fijian%20soccer%20player%20heads%20to%20the%20coast%20to%20do%20a%20spot%20of%20fishing.%0A%0ADressed%20in%20casual%20shorts%20and%20shirt%20Masi%20heads%20to%20Windang%20with%20his%20fishing%20gear%2C%20and%20fiancee%20Nerrell%20Savanah%2C%20whenever%20he%20has%20a%20break%20from%20training.%0A%0AFishing%20has%20been%20part%20of%20Masi%27s%20life%20since%20he%20was%20a%20young%20lad%20in%20Fiji%20so%20when%20he%20first%20joined%20the%20Wolves%20in%20late%201997%2C%20the%20region%27s%20popular%20fishing%20spots%20were%20the%20first%20stop%20after%20Brandon%20Park.%0A%0A%22When%20I%20came%20down%20from%20Queensland%20I%20was%20quick%20to%20check%20out%20the%20fishing%20spots%20in%20the%20region%2C%20and%20found%20there%20were%20many%20great%20areas%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0A%22When%20I%27m%20not%20training%20I%20get%20really%20bored%20just%20sitting%20around%20indoors%20and%20so%20I%20tend%20to%20go%20fishing%20a%20lot.%0A%0A%22It%27s%20exciting%20having%20that%20bite%20on%20your%20line%20and%20I%20usually%20catch%20a%20few%20flathead%20which%20I%27ll%20take%20home%20and%20cook%20up.%22%0A%0AMasi%20joined%20the%20Wolves%20after%20stints%20with%20Gippsland%20and%20Brisbane%20club%20Rochedale%20Rovers.%0A%0AHe%20has%20been%20a%20regular%20in%20the%20Fijian%20side%20since%201991%20and%20has%20played%20more%20than%2050%20international%20matches.%0A%0AMasi%20expects%20to%20be%20playing%20for%20Fiji%20again%20this%20March%20for%20the%20South%20Pacific%20Games%20but%20for%20now%20is%20concentrating%20on%20scoring%20goals%20towards%20the%20Ericsson%20Cup.&op=translate|title=Esala Masi feels most comfortable when he's on the field|publisher=Illawarra Mercury|access-date=15 March 2024|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230625080147/https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Wolves%20striker%20thrills%20at%20the%20bite;%20closet%20treasures:%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AIllawarra%20Mercury;%20Wollongong,%20N.S.W.%20%5BWollongong,%20N.S.W%5D.%2026%20Jan%201999:%2029.%20%20%20%0AWOLLONGONG%20Wolves%20striker%20Esala%20Masi%20feels%20most%20comfortable%20when%20he's%20on%20the%20field.%0A%0ABut%20when%20it's%20time%20for%20leisure,%20the%20Fijian%20soccer%20player%20heads%20to%20the%20coast%20to%20do%20a%20spot%20of%20fishing.%0A%0ADressed%20in%20casual%20shorts%20and%20shirt%20Masi%20heads%20to%20Windang%20with%20his%20fishing%20gear,%20and%20fiancee%20Nerrell%20Savanah,%20whenever%20he%20has%20a%20break%20from%20training.%0A%0AFishing%20has%20been%20part%20of%20Masi's%20life%20since%20he%20was%20a%20young%20lad%20in%20Fiji%20so%20when%20he%20first%20joined%20the%20Wolves%20in%20late%201997,%20the%20region's%20popular%20fishing%20spots%20were%20the%20first%20stop%20after%20Brandon%20Park.%0A%0A%22When%20I%20came%20down%20from%20Queensland%20I%20was%20quick%20to%20check%20out%20the%20fishing%20spots%20in%20the%20region,%20and%20found%20there%20were%20many%20great%20areas,%22%20he%20said.%0A%0A%22When%20I'm%20not%20training%20I%20get%20really%20bored%20just%20sitting%20around%20indoors%20and%20so%20I%20tend%20to%20go%20fishing%20a%20lot.%0A%0A%22It's%20exciting%20having%20that%20bite%20on%20your%20line%20and%20I%20usually%20catch%20a%20few%20flathead%20which%20I'll%20take%20home%20and%20cook%20up.%22%0A%0AMasi%20joined%20the%20Wolves%20after%20stints%20with%20Gippsland%20and%20Brisbane%20club%20Rochedale%20Rovers.%0A%0AHe%20has%20been%20a%20regular%20in%20the%20Fijian%20side%20since%201991%20and%20has%20played%20more%20than%2050%20international%20matches.%0A%0AMasi%20expects%20to%20be%20playing%20for%20Fiji%20again%20this%20March%20for%20the%20South%20Pacific%20Games%20but%20for%20now%20is%20concentrating%20on%20scoring%20goals%20towards%20the%20Ericsson%20Cup.&op=translate|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Wolves%20hero%20on%20the%20outer&%20All%20Masi%20wants%20is%20a%20%60sign%27%3A%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AMurphy%2C%20Phil.%E2%80%89%20Illawarra%20Mercury&%20Wollongong%2C%20N.S.W.%20%5BWollongong%2C%20N.S.W%5D.%2006%20June%202000%3A%2072.%20%20%20%0AWolves%20goalscoring%20hero%20Esala%20Masi%20isn%27t%20sure%20if%20the%20club%20wants%20him%20for%20next%20season.%0A%0AMasi%2C%20who%20scored%20the%20vital%20opening%20goal%20against%20Carlton%20at%20Brandon%20Park%20on%20Sunday%20night%2C%20could%20be%20on%20the%20move.%0A%0AHe%20said%20yesterday%20he%20had%20been%20disappointed%20because%20the%20board%20hadn%27t%20offered%20him%20a%20new%20contract.%0A%0A%22I%20have%20heard%20nothing%20official%20from%20the%20club%2C%22%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%22The%20uncertainly%20is%20very%20disappointing%20for%20me.%0A%0A%22Newcastle%20has%20shown%20an%20interest%20in%20me%20for%20next%20season%20and%20my%20manager%20says%20three%20other%20clubs%20want%20to%20talk%20to%20me.%0A%0A%22I%20definitely%20don%27t%20want%20to%20leave%20Wollongong%20because%20I%20love%20the%20place%20and%20the%20people.%22%0A%0AMasi%20said%20he%20needed%20to%20upgrade%20his%20current%20contract%20because%20he%20has%20struggled%20financially%20since%20his%20father%20died%20in%20Fiji%20earlier%20this%20year.%0A%0A%22I%20am%20the%20eldest%20son%20and%20I%20have%20a%20responsibility%20to%20my%20family%20back%20home%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0A%22My%20fiancee%2C%20Narelle%2C%20and%20I%20are%20also%20expecting%20a%20baby%20later%20in%20the%20year.%0A%0A%22I%20see%20other%20players%20being%20re-signed%20for%20next%20season%20and%20I%20wonder%20why%20the%20club%20isn%27t%20talking%20to%20me.%22%0A%0AMasi%20is%20believed%20to%20be%20on%20a%20basic%20contract%20with%20the%20Wolves.%0A%0AHe%20was%20lured%20to%20Wollongong%20by%20Wolves%20coach%20Nick%20Theodorakopoulos%20while%20he%20was%20playing%20with%20Brisbane%20State%20League%20club%20Rochedale.%0A%0AHe%20had%20earlier%20been%20on%20the%20books%20of%20National%20Soccer%20League%20club%20Gippsland%20Falcons%2C%20but%20failed%20to%20make%20the%20team%20under%20coach%20Frank%20Arok.%0A%0AMasi%20said%20he%20was%20very%20happy%20after%20Sunday%20night%27s%20game.%0A%0AHe%20said%20he%20was%20over%20the%20moon%20when%20he%20realised%20he%20was%20to%20start%20the%20game.%0A%0A%22To%20score%20such%20an%20important%20goal%20was%20really%20great%20for%20me%20and%20it%20justified%20my%20selection%2C%22%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%22I%20haven%27t%20started%20that%20many%20games%20this%20season.%0A%0A%22I%20am%20now%20hoping%20to%20hold%20my%20place%20for%20the%20grand%20final.%22%0A%0AWolves%20general%20manager%20Graeme%20Haney%20said%20recently%20that%20six%20members%20of%20the%20senior%20squad%2C%20including%20Masi%2C%20were%20coming%20off%20contract.%0A%0AHe%20indicated%20negotiations%20would%20start%20after%20Sunday%27s%20grand%20final.%0A%0AMidfielder%20Noel%20Spencer%2C%20who%20also%20played%20well%20against%20Carlton%2C%20is%20also%20due%20to%20negotiate%20a%20new%20contract.&op=translate|title=All Masi wants is a 'sign'|publisher=Illawarra Mercury|access-date=15 March 2024|archive-date=25 June 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web|url=https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Maturing%20Masi%20on%20road%20to%20revival%20Back%20of%20the%20net%3A%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AGardiner%2C%20James.%E2%80%89%20Herald&%20Newcastle%2C%20N.S.W.%20%5BNewcastle%2C%20N.S.W%5D.%2017%20Oct%202001%3A%2085.%20%20%20%0AUNITED%20striker%20Esala%20Masi%20is%20a%20new%20man.%0A%0AFatherhood%2C%20impending%20marriage%20and%20the%20Fijian%20captaincy%20have%20combined%20to%20make%20him%20more%20settled%20and%20focused.%0A%0AMasi%20admits%20he%20did%20not%20live%20up%20to%20his%20expectations%2C%20nor%20other%20people%27s%2C%20during%20his%20first%20year%20in%20Newcastle.%0A%0AThe%20powerhouse%20striker%20joined%20United%20after%20winning%20a%20title%20with%20Wollongong.%0A%0AHe%20scored%2014%20goals%20for%20the%20Wolves%20that%20season%20despite%20being%20used%20mainly%20off%20the%20bench.%0A%0AOn%20arrival%20in%20Newcastle%2C%20he%20boldly%20predicted%20a%2020-goal%20season.%0A%0AA%20number%20of%20factors%2C%20including%20injury%20and%20United%27s%20poor%20form%2C%20resulted%20in%20Masi%20falling%20short%20of%20that%20mark.%0A%0AIn%20fact%2C%20he%20scored%20only%20twice%20in%2020%20appearances%20and%20was%20briefly%20dropped%20to%20youth%20league.%0A%0A%60It%20was%20very%20frustrating%20last%20year%2C%27%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%60It%20did%20not%20go%20well%20with%20Lee%20%28Sterrey%29.%0A%0A%60I%20thought%20things%20would%20change%20%28from%20Wollongong%29%20when%20I%20got%20up%20here%20but%20I%20ended%20up%20spending%20a%20lot%20of%20time%20sitting%20on%20the%20bench.%0A%0A%60I%20was%20slower%20and%20I%20got%20injuries%20because%20I%20was%20not%20fit.%27%0A%0AThe%20highlight%20of%20an%20otherwise%20disappointing%20season%20was%20leading%20Fiji%20in%20the%20Oceania%20World%20Cup%20qualifiers.%0A%0A%60It%20is%20always%20good%20to%20play%20for%20Fiji%20against%20teams%20like%20Australia%20and%20other%20big%20teams%2C%27%20he%20said.%20%60It%20improves%20your%20quality%20of%20football.%27%0A%0AThis%20year%2C%20predictions%20have%20been%20replaced%20by%20hard%20work%20and%20sweat.%0A%0AThe%20birth%20of%20daughter%20Portia%20also%20altered%20his%20outlook.%0A%0A%60Having%20a%20baby%20changes%20everything%2C%27%20Masi%20said.%0A%0AThe%20benefits%20of%20a%20rigorous%20pre-season%20were%20instant%20as%20Masi%20headed%20home%20the%20winner%20to%20seal%20a%201-0%20win%20over%20Melbourne%20in%20the%20season%20opener.%0A%0AHe%20backed%20that%20up%20with%20a%20dominant%20performance%20in%20the%201-all%20draw%20with%20the%20Spirit.%0A%0A%60Compared%20to%20last%20year%2C%20I%20am%20a%20lot%20sharper%2C%27%20the%2027-year-old%20said.%0A%0A%60The%20eight-week%20pre-season%20has%20really%20helped.%27%0A%0AImproved%20fitness%20has%20not%20been%20the%20only%20reason%20behind%20his%20cracking%20start.%0A%0A%60This%20year%20we%20have%20more%20depth%20and%20the%20kind%20of%20service%20you%20get%20from%20the%20midfield%20players%2C%20we%20did%20not%20get%20that%20last%20year%2C%27%20he%20said.%0A%0A%60We%20also%20have%20a%20lot%20more%20pace%20this%20year%20with%20Doddsy%20%28Travis%20Dodd%29%2C%20Robbie%20Middleby%2C%20Joel%20Griffiths%20and%20myself.%27%0A%0ANo-one%20has%20been%20more%20impressed%20with%20Masi%27s%20form%20than%20coach%20Ian%20Crook.%0A%0A%60He%20has%20been%20tremendous%2C%27%20Crook%20said.%0A%0A%60I%20knew%20if%20we%20could%20get%20him%20fit%2C%20he%20would%20be%20a%20real%20threat%20for%20us.%0A%0A%60He%20is%20so%20strong%20in%20the%20air%2C%20particularly%20for%20his%20size.%0A%0A%60He%20has%20a%20hell%20of%20a%20vertical%20jump.%27&op=translate|title=Maturing Masi on road to revival|work=Newcastle Herald|access-date=15 March 2024|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230625075808/https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Maturing%20Masi%20on%20road%20to%20revival%20Back%20of%20the%20net:%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AGardiner,%20James.%E2%80%89%20Herald;%20Newcastle,%20N.S.W.%20%5BNewcastle,%20N.S.W%5D.%2017%20Oct%202001:%2085.%20%20%20%0AUNITED%20striker%20Esala%20Masi%20is%20a%20new%20man.%0A%0AFatherhood,%20impending%20marriage%20and%20the%20Fijian%20captaincy%20have%20combined%20to%20make%20him%20more%20settled%20and%20focused.%0A%0AMasi%20admits%20he%20did%20not%20live%20up%20to%20his%20expectations,%20nor%20other%20people's,%20during%20his%20first%20year%20in%20Newcastle.%0A%0AThe%20powerhouse%20striker%20joined%20United%20after%20winning%20a%20title%20with%20Wollongong.%0A%0AHe%20scored%2014%20goals%20for%20the%20Wolves%20that%20season%20despite%20being%20used%20mainly%20off%20the%20bench.%0A%0AOn%20arrival%20in%20Newcastle,%20he%20boldly%20predicted%20a%2020-goal%20season.%0A%0AA%20number%20of%20factors,%20including%20injury%20and%20United's%20poor%20form,%20resulted%20in%20Masi%20falling%20short%20of%20that%20mark.%0A%0AIn%20fact,%20he%20scored%20only%20twice%20in%2020%20appearances%20and%20was%20briefly%20dropped%20to%20youth%20league.%0A%0A%60It%20was%20very%20frustrating%20last%20year,'%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%60It%20did%20not%20go%20well%20with%20Lee%20(Sterrey).%0A%0A%60I%20thought%20things%20would%20change%20(from%20Wollongong)%20when%20I%20got%20up%20here%20but%20I%20ended%20up%20spending%20a%20lot%20of%20time%20sitting%20on%20the%20bench.%0A%0A%60I%20was%20slower%20and%20I%20got%20injuries%20because%20I%20was%20not%20fit.'%0A%0AThe%20highlight%20of%20an%20otherwise%20disappointing%20season%20was%20leading%20Fiji%20in%20the%20Oceania%20World%20Cup%20qualifiers.%0A%0A%60It%20is%20always%20good%20to%20play%20for%20Fiji%20against%20teams%20like%20Australia%20and%20other%20big%20teams,'%20he%20said.%20%60It%20improves%20your%20quality%20of%20football.'%0A%0AThis%20year,%20predictions%20have%20been%20replaced%20by%20hard%20work%20and%20sweat.%0A%0AThe%20birth%20of%20daughter%20Portia%20also%20altered%20his%20outlook.%0A%0A%60Having%20a%20baby%20changes%20everything,'%20Masi%20said.%0A%0AThe%20benefits%20of%20a%20rigorous%20pre-season%20were%20instant%20as%20Masi%20headed%20home%20the%20winner%20to%20seal%20a%201-0%20win%20over%20Melbourne%20in%20the%20season%20opener.%0A%0AHe%20backed%20that%20up%20with%20a%20dominant%20performance%20in%20the%201-all%20draw%20with%20the%20Spirit.%0A%0A%60Compared%20to%20last%20year,%20I%20am%20a%20lot%20sharper,'%20the%2027-year-old%20said.%0A%0A%60The%20eight-week%20pre-season%20has%20really%20helped.'%0A%0AImproved%20fitness%20has%20not%20been%20the%20only%20reason%20behind%20his%20cracking%20start.%0A%0A%60This%20year%20we%20have%20more%20depth%20and%20the%20kind%20of%20service%20you%20get%20from%20the%20midfield%20players,%20we%20did%20not%20get%20that%20last%20year,'%20he%20said.%0A%0A%60We%20also%20have%20a%20lot%20more%20pace%20this%20year%20with%20Doddsy%20(Travis%20Dodd),%20Robbie%20Middleby,%20Joel%20Griffiths%20and%20myself.'%0A%0ANo-one%20has%20been%20more%20impressed%20with%20Masi's%20form%20than%20coach%20Ian%20Crook.%0A%0A%60He%20has%20been%20tremendous,'%20Crook%20said.%0A%0A%60I%20knew%20if%20we%20could%20get%20him%20fit,%20he%20would%20be%20a%20real%20threat%20for%20us.%0A%0A%60He%20is%20so%20strong%20in%20the%20air,%20particularly%20for%20his%20size.%0A%0A%60He%20has%20a%20hell%20of%20a%20vertical%20jump.'&op=translate|url-status=bot: 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web|url=https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Recruit%20waiting%20to%20find%20the%20net&%3A%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AJames%20Gardiner%20Back%20of%20the%20net.%E2%80%89%20Herald&%20Newcastle%2C%20N.S.W.%20%5BNewcastle%2C%20N.S.W%5D.%2001%20Nov%202000%3A%2081.%20%20%20%0ANEWCASTLE%20United%20striker%20Esala%20Masi%20is%20playing%20the%20waiting%20game.%0A%0A%0AThe%20Fijian%20international%20joined%20Newcastle%20from%20champions%20Wollongong%20at%20the%20start%20of%20the%20season.%0A%0AThe%20off-field%20ownership%20dramas%20of%20the%20Newcastle%20Breakers%20left%20the%2027-year-old%20in%20the%20lurch.%0A%0AAt%20one%20stage%20he%20did%20not%20even%20know%20if%20he%20would%20have%20a%20club%20to%20play%20for.%0A%0AThankfully%2C%20that%20has%20been%20sorted%20out.%0A%0A%60I%20was%20thinking%20that%20I%20must%20have%20made%20the%20wrong%20decision%20in%20the%20pre-season%2C%20but%20now%20things%20have%20settled%20down%20and%20I%20have%20a%20very%20nice%20place%20to%20live%2C%27%20the%20quietly%20spoken%20Masi%20said.%0A%0ABut%20the%20wait%20is%20not%20over%20for%20the%20powerful%20striker.%0A%0AHis%20wife%2C%20Narelle%2C%20is%20expecting%20their%20first%20child.%0A%0AShe%20is%20not%20due%20for%20another%20three%20weeks%2C%20but%20the%20doctors%20have%20said%20the%20birth%20could%20happen%20at%20any%20time.%0A%0A%60It%20has%20been%20pretty%20nerve-racking%2C%20especially%20when%20we%20were%20in%20Auckland%2C%27%20Masi%20said.%0A%0AThe%20timing%20of%20the%20birth%20is%20out%20of%20his%20control.%20That%20leaves%20one%20thing%20on%20his%20wish%20list%2C%20his%20first%20NSL%20goal%20for%20Newcastle%20United.%0A%0AHe%20has%20gone%20agonisingly%20close%20in%20United%27s%20first%20three%20games%20and%20hopes%20to%20break%20the%20duck%20against%20Parramatta%20on%20Friday%20night%20at%20Marathon.%0A%0A%60I%20cannot%20wait%20to%20score%20my%20first%20goal%2C%27%20he%20said.%0A%0A%60If%20you%20look%20at%20the%20three%20games%2C%20we%20have%20not%20been%20outplayed%20in%20any%20of%20them.%0A%0A%60Our%20defence%20needs%20to%20tighten%20up%20a%20bit&%20we%20are%20opening%20up%20too%20much.%0A%0A%60But%20I%20am%20sure%20things%20will%20be%20right%20soon.%27%0A%0AUnited%20coach%20Lee%20Sterrey%20has%20not%20only%20been%20impressed%20with%20Masi%27s%20form%2C%20but%20also%20the%20way%20he%20has%20settled%20in%20at%20the%20new%20club.%0A%0A%60Esala%20is%20first-class%2C%27%20Sterrey%20said.%0A%0A%60All%20the%20boys%20like%20him%2C%20he%20gets%20on%20well%20with%20everyone%20in%20the%20club%20and%20he%20is%20a%20likeable%20bloke.%0A%0A%60He%20has%20not%20got%20on%20the%20score%20sheet%20yet%20but%20it%20is%20going%20to%20happen%20for%20him%20sooner%20rather%20than%20later.%27%0A%0AMasi%20scored%2011%20goals%20last%20season%2C%20despite%20playing%20mainly%20off%20the%20bench%20for%20the%20Wolves.%0A%0AHe%20is%20starting%20to%20gel%20with%20front-line%20partner%20John%20Buonavoglia%20and%20is%20eagerly%20awaiting%20the%20return%20of%20assist%20king%20Andy%20Harper.%0A%0AHarper%20is%20nursing%20a%20broken%20toe%20but%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20back%20within%20two%20weeks.%0A%0A%60I%20can%27t%20wait%20to%20get%20all%20three%20of%20them%20fit%20and%20on%20the%20park%2C%27%20Sterrey%20said.%0A%0A%60Harps%20is%20a%20good%20talker%20and%20organiser.%0A%0A%60He%20gives%20us%20a%20bit%20more%20flexibility%2C%20but%20certainly%20we%20will%20have%20some%20pure%20strength%20going%20forward.%27&op=translate|title=Recruit waiting to find the net|work=Newcastle Herald|access-date=15 March 2024|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230625075533/https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Recruit%20waiting%20to%20find%20the%20net;:%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AJames%20Gardiner%20Back%20of%20the%20net.%E2%80%89%20Herald;%20Newcastle,%20N.S.W.%20%5BNewcastle,%20N.S.W%5D.%2001%20Nov%202000:%2081.%20%20%20%0ANEWCASTLE%20United%20striker%20Esala%20Masi%20is%20playing%20the%20waiting%20game.%0A%0A%0AThe%20Fijian%20international%20joined%20Newcastle%20from%20champions%20Wollongong%20at%20the%20start%20of%20the%20season.%0A%0AThe%20off-field%20ownership%20dramas%20of%20the%20Newcastle%20Breakers%20left%20the%2027-year-old%20in%20the%20lurch.%0A%0AAt%20one%20stage%20he%20did%20not%20even%20know%20if%20he%20would%20have%20a%20club%20to%20play%20for.%0A%0AThankfully,%20that%20has%20been%20sorted%20out.%0A%0A%60I%20was%20thinking%20that%20I%20must%20have%20made%20the%20wrong%20decision%20in%20the%20pre-season,%20but%20now%20things%20have%20settled%20down%20and%20I%20have%20a%20very%20nice%20place%20to%20live,'%20the%20quietly%20spoken%20Masi%20said.%0A%0ABut%20the%20wait%20is%20not%20over%20for%20the%20powerful%20striker.%0A%0AHis%20wife,%20Narelle,%20is%20expecting%20their%20first%20child.%0A%0AShe%20is%20not%20due%20for%20another%20three%20weeks,%20but%20the%20doctors%20have%20said%20the%20birth%20could%20happen%20at%20any%20time.%0A%0A%60It%20has%20been%20pretty%20nerve-racking,%20especially%20when%20we%20were%20in%20Auckland,'%20Masi%20said.%0A%0AThe%20timing%20of%20the%20birth%20is%20out%20of%20his%20control.%20That%20leaves%20one%20thing%20on%20his%20wish%20list,%20his%20first%20NSL%20goal%20for%20Newcastle%20United.%0A%0AHe%20has%20gone%20agonisingly%20close%20in%20United's%20first%20three%20games%20and%20hopes%20to%20break%20the%20duck%20against%20Parramatta%20on%20Friday%20night%20at%20Marathon.%0A%0A%60I%20cannot%20wait%20to%20score%20my%20first%20goal,'%20he%20said.%0A%0A%60If%20you%20look%20at%20the%20three%20games,%20we%20have%20not%20been%20outplayed%20in%20any%20of%20them.%0A%0A%60Our%20defence%20needs%20to%20tighten%20up%20a%20bit;%20we%20are%20opening%20up%20too%20much.%0A%0A%60But%20I%20am%20sure%20things%20will%20be%20right%20soon.'%0A%0AUnited%20coach%20Lee%20Sterrey%20has%20not%20only%20been%20impressed%20with%20Masi's%20form,%20but%20also%20the%20way%20he%20has%20settled%20in%20at%20the%20new%20club.%0A%0A%60Esala%20is%20first-class,'%20Sterrey%20said.%0A%0A%60All%20the%20boys%20like%20him,%20he%20gets%20on%20well%20with%20everyone%20in%20the%20club%20and%20he%20is%20a%20likeable%20bloke.%0A%0A%60He%20has%20not%20got%20on%20the%20score%20sheet%20yet%20but%20it%20is%20going%20to%20happen%20for%20him%20sooner%20rather%20than%20later.'%0A%0AMasi%20scored%2011%20goals%20last%20season,%20despite%20playing%20mainly%20off%20the%20bench%20for%20the%20Wolves.%0A%0AHe%20is%20starting%20to%20gel%20with%20front-line%20partner%20John%20Buonavoglia%20and%20is%20eagerly%20awaiting%20the%20return%20of%20assist%20king%20Andy%20Harper.%0A%0AHarper%20is%20nursing%20a%20broken%20toe%20but%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20back%20within%20two%20weeks.%0A%0A%60I%20can't%20wait%20to%20get%20all%20three%20of%20them%20fit%20and%20on%20the%20park,'%20Sterrey%20said.%0A%0A%60Harps%20is%20a%20good%20talker%20and%20organiser.%0A%0A%60He%20gives%20us%20a%20bit%20more%20flexibility,%20but%20certainly%20we%20will%20have%20some%20pure%20strength%20going%20forward.'&op=translate|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Masi%27s%20magic%20touch%20gives%20United%20hope%20Masi%27s%20magic%20fires%20United%3A%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AGardiner%2C%20James.%E2%80%89%20Herald&%20Newcastle%2C%20N.S.W.%20%5BNewcastle%2C%20N.S.W%5D.%2001%20May%202002%3A%2080.%20%20%20%0AFIJIAN%20Esala%20Masi%20has%20made%20a%20habit%20of%20saving%20his%20best%20for%20big%20occasions.%0A%0AThe%20bustling%20striker%20had%20been%20the%20forgotten%20man%20of%20Newcastle%20United.%0A%0ABut%20he%20delivered%20a%20sharp%20reminder%20of%20his%20power%20and%20passion%20in%20scoring%20a%20stunning%20double%20in%20United%27s%202-0%20triumph%20over%20Perth%20on%20Friday.%0A%0AUnited%2C%20facing%20a%204-1%20deficit%2C%20needed%20someone%20to%20step%20up.%20And%20it%20was%20the%20softly%20spoken%2028-year-old%20who%20took%20on%20the%20responsibility.%0A%0AMasi%20terrorised%20the%20Perth%20defence%20with%20his%20strength%20and%20raw%20aggression.%0A%0AHe%20climbed%20high%20to%20head%20home%20from%20a%20Milan%20Blagojevic%20free%20kick%20in%20the%2015th%20minute%20and%20followed%20that%20with%20a%20solo%20effort%20in%20the%2042nd.%20Receiving%20the%20ball%20on%20the%20left%20edge%2C%20he%20chipped%20a%20Perth%20defender%2C%20weaved%20his%20way%20into%20the%20penalty%20area%20and%20launched%20a%20rocket%20into%20the%20left-hand%20corner.%0A%0AThe%20brace%20took%20his%20season%20tally%20to%20eight%20goals.%0A%0AMasi%20is%20a%20proven%20big-match%20performer.%20He%20was%20Fiji%27s%20leading%20scorer%20at%20the%20Oceania%20World%20Cup%20qualifiers%20last%20year%20and%20played%20a%20vital%20role%20in%20Wollongong%27s%20championship%20run%20in%202000%2C%20including%20a%20goal%20in%20the%20preliminary%20final%20against%20Carlton.%0A%0AContinued%20Page%2078%0A%0AMasi%27s%20magic%20fires%20United%0A%0AFrom%20Back%20Page%0A%0A%60I%20love%20the%20atmosphere%20of%20big%20games%2C%27%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%60Finals%20football%20is%20a%20different%20ball%20game.%0A%0A%60It%20is%20exciting%20and%20there%20is%20much%20more%20at%20stake.%27%0A%0AThe%20stage%20does%20not%20get%20much%20bigger%20than%20United%27s%20preliminary%20final%20against%20Olympic%20Sharks%20at%20EnergyAustralia%20Stadium%20on%20Sunday.%0A%0A%60I%20am%20looking%20forward%20to%20it%2C%27%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%60My%20approach%20will%20not%20change.%0A%0A%60I%20had%20a%20chat%20to%20Crooky%20before%20last%20Friday%20and%20he%20told%20me%20to%20take%20them%20on%20and%20not%20to%20hold%20anything%20back.%0A%0A%60This%20week%20I%20will%20go%20out%20there%20and%20try%20and%20do%20the%20same%20thing.%27%0A%0AThe%20hype%20and%20excitement%20of%20an%20NSL%20final%20series%20is%20far%20cry%20from%20the%20world%20in%20which%20Masi%20honed%20his%20soccer%20skills.%0A%0AMasi%20was%20brought%20up%20in%20the%20Fijian%20township%20of%20Ba.%0A%0AUnlike%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20rugby-mad%20nation%2C%20Ba%20is%20a%20soccer%20stronghold.%0A%0AA%20giant%20soccer%20ball%20is%20the%20centrepiece%20of%20the%20main%20street%20in%20Ba%20and%20FIFA%20recently%20relocated%20their%20Fijian%20headquarters%20from%20Suva%20to%20the%20west-coast%20town.%0A%0AMention%20Masi%27s%20name%20to%20any%20Ba%20taxi%20driver%20and%20be%20prepared%20for%20an%20ear-bashing%20lauding%20the%20local%20hero.%0A%0AMasi%20has%20been%20in%20Australia%20for%20six%20years%20but%20returns%20home%20regularly.%0A%0ANo%20doubt%20he%20would%20like%20to%20take%20an%20extra%20piece%20of%20luggage%20on%20his%20next%20trip%20home%3A%20an%20NSL%20championship%20medal.%0A%0A%60It%20would%20be%20great%20to%20win%20another%20title%2C%27%20he%20said.&op=translate|title=Masi's magic touch gives United hope|work=Newcastle Herald|access-date=15 March 2024|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230625075608/https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=Masi's%20magic%20touch%20gives%20United%20hope%20Masi's%20magic%20fires%20United:%20%5BLate%20Edition%5D%0AGardiner,%20James.%E2%80%89%20Herald;%20Newcastle,%20N.S.W.%20%5BNewcastle,%20N.S.W%5D.%2001%20May%202002:%2080.%20%20%20%0AFIJIAN%20Esala%20Masi%20has%20made%20a%20habit%20of%20saving%20his%20best%20for%20big%20occasions.%0A%0AThe%20bustling%20striker%20had%20been%20the%20forgotten%20man%20of%20Newcastle%20United.%0A%0ABut%20he%20delivered%20a%20sharp%20reminder%20of%20his%20power%20and%20passion%20in%20scoring%20a%20stunning%20double%20in%20United's%202-0%20triumph%20over%20Perth%20on%20Friday.%0A%0AUnited,%20facing%20a%204-1%20deficit,%20needed%20someone%20to%20step%20up.%20And%20it%20was%20the%20softly%20spoken%2028-year-old%20who%20took%20on%20the%20responsibility.%0A%0AMasi%20terrorised%20the%20Perth%20defence%20with%20his%20strength%20and%20raw%20aggression.%0A%0AHe%20climbed%20high%20to%20head%20home%20from%20a%20Milan%20Blagojevic%20free%20kick%20in%20the%2015th%20minute%20and%20followed%20that%20with%20a%20solo%20effort%20in%20the%2042nd.%20Receiving%20the%20ball%20on%20the%20left%20edge,%20he%20chipped%20a%20Perth%20defender,%20weaved%20his%20way%20into%20the%20penalty%20area%20and%20launched%20a%20rocket%20into%20the%20left-hand%20corner.%0A%0AThe%20brace%20took%20his%20season%20tally%20to%20eight%20goals.%0A%0AMasi%20is%20a%20proven%20big-match%20performer.%20He%20was%20Fiji's%20leading%20scorer%20at%20the%20Oceania%20World%20Cup%20qualifiers%20last%20year%20and%20played%20a%20vital%20role%20in%20Wollongong's%20championship%20run%20in%202000,%20including%20a%20goal%20in%20the%20preliminary%20final%20against%20Carlton.%0A%0AContinued%20Page%2078%0A%0AMasi's%20magic%20fires%20United%0A%0AFrom%20Back%20Page%0A%0A%60I%20love%20the%20atmosphere%20of%20big%20games,'%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%60Finals%20football%20is%20a%20different%20ball%20game.%0A%0A%60It%20is%20exciting%20and%20there%20is%20much%20more%20at%20stake.'%0A%0AThe%20stage%20does%20not%20get%20much%20bigger%20than%20United's%20preliminary%20final%20against%20Olympic%20Sharks%20at%20EnergyAustralia%20Stadium%20on%20Sunday.%0A%0A%60I%20am%20looking%20forward%20to%20it,'%20Masi%20said.%0A%0A%60My%20approach%20will%20not%20change.%0A%0A%60I%20had%20a%20chat%20to%20Crooky%20before%20last%20Friday%20and%20he%20told%20me%20to%20take%20them%20on%20and%20not%20to%20hold%20anything%20back.%0A%0A%60This%20week%20I%20will%20go%20out%20there%20and%20try%20and%20do%20the%20same%20thing.'%0A%0AThe%20hype%20and%20excitement%20of%20an%20NSL%20final%20series%20is%20far%20cry%20from%20the%20world%20in%20which%20Masi%20honed%20his%20soccer%20skills.%0A%0AMasi%20was%20brought%20up%20in%20the%20Fijian%20township%20of%20Ba.%0A%0AUnlike%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20rugby-mad%20nation,%20Ba%20is%20a%20soccer%20stronghold.%0A%0AA%20giant%20soccer%20ball%20is%20the%20centrepiece%20of%20the%20main%20street%20in%20Ba%20and%20FIFA%20recently%20relocated%20their%20Fijian%20headquarters%20from%20Suva%20to%20the%20west-coast%20town.%0A%0AMention%20Masi's%20name%20to%20any%20Ba%20taxi%20driver%20and%20be%20prepared%20for%20an%20ear-bashing%20lauding%20the%20local%20hero.%0A%0AMasi%20has%20been%20in%20Australia%20for%20six%20years%20but%20returns%20home%20regularly.%0A%0ANo%20doubt%20he%20would%20like%20to%20take%20an%20extra%20piece%20of%20luggage%20on%20his%20next%20trip%20home:%20an%20NSL%20championship%20medal.%0A%0A%60It%20would%20be%20great%20to%20win%20another%20title,'%20he%20said.&op=translate|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2019/12/31/masi-and-krishna-the-fiji-goal-scoring-history/|title=Masi and Krishna: the Fijian goal scoring history|publisher=oceaniafootballcenter.org}}</ref>

==Club career==
Masi began his football career at his hometown club [[Ba F.C.|Ba]] before he signed with [[National Soccer League]] (NSL) club [[Gippsland Falcons]] in January 1996.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.ozfootball.net/studsup/dtrh/dtrh96.htm|title= Did that REALLY happen in 1996? |work=ozfootball.net |accessdate=14 September 2016}}</ref> The next year, Masi transferred to [[Wollongong Wolves]] and helped them win the [[1999–2000 National Soccer League|1999-2000 NSL]] title. He spent three seasons at Wollongong, gaining 77 appearances and 19 goals.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/2338/Esala_Masi.html|title= Esala Masi|work=national-football-teams.com |accessdate=14 September 2016}}</ref>

After the NSL was disbanded in 2004, he played for several teams in Australia's state league and Malaysia.

In 2006, Masi joined [[National Premier Leagues Victoria]] side [[Oakleigh Cannons FC]]. In the 2007 season, he finished as the top scorer of the league, scoring 15 goals.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/Scorer.html|title= National Premier Leagues Victoria Golden Boot|work=ozfootball.net |accessdate=14 September 2016}}</ref>

In December 2008, Masi played against [[LA Galaxy]] in an exhibition match in New Zealand as part of an Oceania XI All-Star team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/galaxy-too-classy-for-oas-130348|title= Galaxy Too Classy For OAS|date=6 December 2008|work=FourFourTwo Australia|accessdate=14 September 2016}}</ref>

In December 2015, Masi was appointed the coach of [[Mitchelton FC]] reserve team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.facebook.com/mitchiefc/posts/934954366551589|title= Brisbane Premier League (BPL) Coaching Announcement|date=1 December 2015|work=Mitchelton FC Facebook|accessdate=15 September 2016}}</ref>

==International career==
Masi played international football for Fiji at Under-15, [[Fiji national under-20 football team|Under-20]] and [[Fiji national under-23 football team|Under-23]] levels. He made his full international debut on 7 June 1997 in a 1–0 loss against [[New Zealand national football team|New Zealand]] in qualification for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nz-intres-det90.html|title= New Zealand International Matches – Details 1990-1999|publisher=RSSSF|accessdate=16 September 2016}}</ref> However, his international career is not well documented. Therefore, his exact appearances and goals totals are unknown. According to an interview he gave to Queensland Soccer News, he appeared over 50 times for Fiji, and also won two [[Melanesia Cup]]s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://queenslandsoccernews.com/off-the-pitch/esala-masinisau/|title=Esala Masinisau|work=Queensland Soccer News|accessdate=16 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609193247/https://queenslandsoccernews.com/off-the-pitch/esala-masinisau/|archive-date=9 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He was also captain for Fiji during the [[Men's football at the 2003 South Pacific Games|2003 South Pacific Games]]. In the gold-medal match against [[New Caledonia national football team|New Caledonia]], he scored Fiji's second goal from a 35-metre free-kick in a 2–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2003/07/13/masi-inspires-fijian-victory|title=Masi inspires Fijian victory|date=16 November 2012|work=The World Game SBS|accessdate=16 September 2016}}</ref> Fiji won the gold medal with Masi finishing as the tournament's top scorer with eleven goals.

=== International goals ===
:''Scores and results list Fiji's goal tally first.''
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:90%"
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition !! Ref
|-
| 1. || 15 June 1997 || |[[ANZ National Stadium|National Stadium]], [[Suva]], [[Fiji]] || {{fb|PNG}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–0 ||style="text-align:center;"| 3–1 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]] ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=920/match=8545/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919153348/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=920/match=8545/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 September 2016 |title=1998 FIFA World Cup France ™ – Matches – Fiji-Papua New Guinea |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 2. || 25 September 1998 || |[[Suncorp Stadium]], [[Brisbane]], Australia || {{fb|AUS}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–3 ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–3 || [[1998 OFC Nations Cup]] ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/98oc.html |title= Oceanian Nations Cup 1998 |publisher=RSSSF |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 3. || rowspan=2| 4 October 1998 || rowspan=2|Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia || rowspan=2|{{fb|TAH}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–0 || rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |4–2 || rowspan=2|1998 OFC Nations Cup || rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/98oc.html |title= Oceanian Nations Cup 1998 |publisher=RSSSF |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 4. ||style="text-align:center;"| 3–0
|-
| 5. || 8 April 2000 || National Stadium, Suva, Fiji || {{fb|PNG}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 3–0 ||style="text-align:center;"| 5–0 || [[2000 Melanesia Cup]] ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/00oc.html |title= Oceanian Nations Cup 2000 |publisher=RSSSF |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 6. || rowspan=2| 11 April 2000 || rowspan=2|National Stadium, Suva, Fiji || rowspan=2|{{fb|VAN}} ||style="text-align:center;"| Unknown || rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |4–1 || rowspan=2|2000 Melanesia Cup || rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.rsssf.org/tables/00oc.html |title= Oceanian Nations Cup 2000|publisher=RSSSF |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 7. ||style="text-align:center;"| Unknown
|-
| 8. || 9 February 2001 ||[[Govind Park]], [[Ba (town)|Ba]], Fiji || {{fb|MAS}} ||style="text-align:center;"| Unknown ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–2 || Friendly ||<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/2001ic1.html|title= International Matches 2001 |publisher=RSSSF |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 9. || rowspan=4|7 April 2001 || rowspan=4|[[Coffs Harbour International Stadium|International Sports Stadium]], [[Coffs Harbour]], Australia || rowspan=4|{{fb|ASA}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–0 || rowspan=4 style="text-align:center;" |13–0 || rowspan=4|[[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]] || rowspan=4|<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2002q.html|title= World Cup 2002 Qualifying|publisher=RSSSF |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>

|-
| 10. ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–0
|-
| 11. ||style="text-align:center;"| 9–0
|-
| 12. ||style="text-align:center;"| 10–0
|-
| 13. || rowspan=4|16 April 2001 || rowspan=4|International Sports Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Australia || rowspan=4|{{fb|TGA}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–0 || rowspan=4 style="text-align:center;" |8–1 || rowspan=4|[[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]] || rowspan=4|<ref>{{cite news |url=  https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=3864/match=22247/index.html|archive-url=  https://web.archive.org/web/20160919152320/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=3864/match=22247/index.html|url-status=  dead|archive-date=  19 September 2016|title=  2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan ™ – Matches – Tonga-Fiji |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 14. ||style="text-align:center;"| 4–0
|-
| 15. ||style="text-align:center;"| 5–0
|-
| 16. ||style="text-align:center;"| 8–1
|-
| 17. || rowspan=2| 1 July 2003 || rowspan=2|National Stadium, Suva, Fiji || rowspan=2|{{fb|TUV}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–0 || rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |4–0 || rowspan=2|  [[Men's football at the 2003 South Pacific Games|2003 South Pacific Games]]|| rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/southpac03det.html |title= South Pacific Games 2003 (Fiji) – Tournament Details|publisher=RSSSF |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 18. ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–0
|-
| 19. || rowspan=7| 5 July 2003 || rowspan=7|[[Ratu Cakobau Park]], [[Nausori]], Fiji || rowspan=7|{{fb|KIR}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–0 || rowspan=7 style="text-align:center;" |12–0 || rowspan=7|2003 Pacific Games || rowspan=7|<ref>{{cite news |url=  https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/southpac03det.html|title=  South Pacific Games 2003 (Fiji) – Tournament Details |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 20. ||style="text-align:center;"| 5–0
|-
| 21. ||style="text-align:center;"| 6–0
|-
| 22. ||style="text-align:center;"| 7–0
|-
| 23. ||style="text-align:center;"| 8–0
|-
| 24. ||style="text-align:center;"| 9–0
|-
| 25. ||style="text-align:center;"| 10–0
|-
| 26. ||7 July 2003 || |[[Churchill Park (Lautoka)|Churchill Park]], [[Lautoka]], Fiji || {{fb|SOL}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–0 ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–1 || 2003 Pacific Games ||<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/southpac03det.html |title=South Pacific Games 2003 (Fiji) – Tournament Details |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 27. ||11 July 2003 || National Stadium, Suva, Fiji || {{fb|NCL}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–0 ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–0 || 2003 Pacific Games ||<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/southpac03det.html |title=South Pacific Games 2003 (Fiji) – Tournament Details |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 28. ||15 May 2004 || |[[National Soccer Stadium (Samoa)|Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Complex]], [[Apia]], [[Samoa]] || {{fb|ASA}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 8–0 ||style="text-align:center;"| 11–0 || |[[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC first round|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]] ||<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=8064/match=36998/index.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160919151223/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=8064/match=36998/index.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 19 September 2016 |title= 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany ™ – Matches – Fiji-American Samoa  |publisher=FIFA |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 29. ||17 May 2004 || Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Complex, Apia, Samoa || {{fb|SAM}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 3–0 ||style="text-align:center;"| 4–0 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification ||<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=8064/match=37001/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919152238/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=8064/match=37001/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 September 2016 |title= 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany ™ – Matches – Samoa-Fiji|publisher=FIFA |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 30. ||12 August 2005 || Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji || {{fb|IND}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–0 || Friendly ||<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/fiji2005/series/report2.html |title= India loses second match |work=indianfootball.de |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 31. ||14 August 2005 || National Stadium, Suva, Fiji || {{fb|IND}} ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–1 ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–1 || Friendly ||<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/fiji2005/series/report3.html |title= Fiji vs India |work=indianfootball.de |accessdate=10 September 2016}}</ref>
|}

==Personal life==
His uncle, the late [[Esala Masi Sr.]] was also a Fiji international football player in the 1960s; he died in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2010/07/29/esala-masi-laid-to-rest-tomorrow/ |title= Esala Masi laid to rest tomorrow |date=29 July 2010|work=Fiji Sun |accessdate=19 September 2016}}</ref> His cousin, [[Manoa Masi]] has also played in Australia and the national team.

==Honours==
'''Wollongong Wolves'''
*[[National Soccer League]]: [[1999–2000 National Soccer League|1999–2000]]

'''Altona Magic'''
*[[National Premier Leagues Victoria]]: 2008

'''Mitchelton FC'''
*[[Brisbane Premier League|Capital League 1]]: [[2013 Football Queensland season#2013 Capital League 1|2013]]

'''Fiji'''
*[[Melanesia Cup]]: [[1998 Melanesia Cup|1998]], [[2000 Melanesia Cup|2000]]
*[[Pacific Games]]: [[Men's football at the 2003 South Pacific Games|2003]]

'''Individual'''
*[[Pacific Games]] Golden Boot: [[Men's football at the 2003 South Pacific Games|2003]]
*[[National Premier Leagues Victoria]] Golden Boot: 2007

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{NFT player|pid=2338}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Fiji squads
| bg        = blue
| fg        = white
| bordercolor= black
| list =
{{Fiji squad 1998 OFC Nations Cup}}
{{Fiji squad 2002 OFC Nations Cup}}
{{Fiji squad 2004 OFC Nations Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Masi, Esala}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Ba Province]]
[[Category:Fijian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Fiji men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Fijian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:National Soccer League (Australia) players]]
[[Category:Navua F.C. players]]
[[Category:Wollongong Wolves FC players]]
[[Category:I-Taukei Fijian people]]
[[Category:Ba FA players]]
[[Category:Falcons 2000 SC players]]
[[Category:Sydney Olympic FC players]]
[[Category:Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. players]]
[[Category:Oakleigh Cannons FC players]]
[[Category:Frankston Pines SC players]]
[[Category:1998 OFC Nations Cup players]]
[[Category:2002 OFC Nations Cup players]]
[[Category:2004 OFC Nations Cup players]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Australia]]
[[Category:Fijian expatriate sportspeople in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Fijian expatriate sportspeople in Australia]]