Fernando Rech

NSL Career: Brisbane Strikers, Parramatta Power 89 (37) / 2000/01 - 2003/04

South Americans made a tremendous impact on the NSL - with players such as Washington González, Vicente Estavillo, Agenor Muniz and Hilton Silva bringing the famed South American style of play Down Under. During the final years of the NSL, Brazilian Fernando Rech was one of the league's star attractions - strong, technical and dangerous in front of goals.

Born in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul - Rech spent his junior career at local club Juventude before making his Série A debut at the age of 21, but failed to cement his spot in the side and spent some time in the Campeonato Gaucho (Rio Grande do Sul State League) with Guarani and Campeonato Carioca (Rio de Janeiro State League) with Olaria. 

The forward found his feet during the 1996 season, scoring seven goals in 19 appearances for Juventude before moving to Palmeiras. After making just one appearance for his new club, Rech moved overseas where he scored five goals in 14 games for J.League club Yokohama Flugels during the second stage of the 1997 season. 

Rech returned to Brazil but found little success, making just eight Série A appearances in three seasons with Internacional, Juventude and Etti Jundiai (all eight games played for Juventude). Desperate for game time, Rech moved to Australia to join Brisbane Strikers in the NSL.

The Brazilian made an immediate impact despite Brisbane struggling for consistency, scoring 9 goals in 22 games in his first season. The brilliance of Rech helped Brisbane turn the tide during the 2001/02 season, helping them reach the finals series for the first time since their 1996/97 championship-winning season and scored a clinical goal against South Melbourne in the elimination final (consolation goal).

Rech's performances during the season earned him the Johnny Warren Medal, becoming the only NSL player from South America to win the award (only Marcos Flores has won the award in the A-League era). Rech played on at Brisbane in the 2002/03 season, scoring nine goals in 20 games in what turned out to be a disappointing season for the club.

The attacking midfielder joined Parramatta Power for the final season of the NSL along with Sydney Olympic goal machine Ante Milicic and former Wollongong marksman Saso Petrovski. With the attacking trio in full flight, Parramatta finished second and reached the grand final against Perth Glory. Rech came on for Milicic, but was unable to score as Perth scored the golden goal in extra time to win the final NSL Championship.

Rech returned to Brazil following the collapse of the NSL and joined Campeonato Gaucho side Esportivo for the 2005 season before returning to Australia to join A-League club Adelaide United. Lacking the athleticism that made him one of the best players in the NSL, Rech was nonetheless a key player for United, forming a strong attacking partnership with Chinese import Shengqing Qu. 

Rech scored 13 goals in 37 appearances for the Reds and featured in their grand final loss to Melbourne Victory in the 2006/07 season before hanging up his boots at the age of 33. Rech later returned to Brazil where he has served as a youth and assistant coach at a number of clubs in his home state of Rio Grande do Sul. Rech's son Rafael, who was born in Queensland, has followed in his father footsteps and played for Juventude in Série A.