Tigers unleash a new ?Hiro? for 2010

25-year-old midfielder Hirofumi Moriyasu has caught the league by storm having put together a number of impressive performances in his five matches with the club having scored two goals in the process.
Tigers Club President Tony Raciti has labelled Hiro a wonderful talent and believes he can go places in Australia.
?I really believe Hiro has what it takes to be part of the A-League.
?He impressed his team members from the first training session he came down to and has really come to life with some fantastic displays on the park.
?I strongly believe he has the potential to go places.?
It was the help of a close friend that lured Hiro to the shores of Sydney with the Tigers getting a first hand look on what Moriyasu had to offer.
?A close friend of mine who I had known in Japan spoke to the Tigers on my behalf and got me in for a training session.
?I went down and fortunately I impressed and the club signed me from there.?
So far, the Japanese star has settled in well in his new environment but believed that the club itself has changed since his first training session.
?When I got to the club I felt like the morale and team spirit was down and I was told that the results weren?t the best.
?Fast forward a few weeks and things have changed for the better, training is great, the spirit in the team is very good and we are playing some great football.
?I can also say that I have settled in now with my new team mates and I hope I can assist them in their plans for playing finals football.?
Asked what he thought of the standard of football here in the NSW Premier League the well mannered midfielder compared it to the Japanese Third Division.
?I feel as though in Japan the general play in regards to the skill level is far greater than here.
?Football here is much more physical and the speed is quicker but I would compare it to J3 (Japanese Third Division).?
One goal that Hiro hopes to achieve during his time with the Tigers is hopefully getting a chance in playing in the A-League.
?My main purpose here is to be part of the A-League.
?I want to continue playing good football for the Tigers and hope that I can get noticed and get a chance to show what I can do.?
The NSW Premier League?s last Oriental star came in the form of Bankstown City FC?s hard working midfielder Hidetaka Ishii who took the competition by storm with his amazing displays on the pitch. Adding to this list, former Blacktown City FC high flyer Naoki Imaya was also a great find.
Having picked up his English after being based in the United States for ten years as a youngster, Hiro?s last club was in the J3 competition with Mitsubishi Mizushima.
?I spent a season there but wanted to see what it was like in Australia so I decided to come here.
?I do miss home but I really want to have a go in playing professionally here.?
The Tigers have picked up a number of points since Hiro?s arrival but the Japanese import has pinpointed the influence of Franco Parisi as a standout in A.P.I.A.?s side.
?Franco is a very good player and I have been able to communicate well with him.
?He has very good ball skills and leads the team well.
?I also have to say that Bishara Stephan has helped me settle in as well.?
You can catch a glimpse of Hiro and the Tigers squad when they face Blacktown City FC this Sunday at Leichhardt Oval.
-By Mark Stavroulakis