Bula FC have recovered from a two-goal deficit to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory over South Island United at the National Stadium in Honiara, and propel themselves into the top four of the OFC Pro League table.
Two goals inside the first half hour had South Island United cruising, but Bula displayed incredible resilience to come from behind – scoring three second-half goals, including the winner from Scott Wara deep into stoppage time.
The result lifts Bula FC above South Island United and into third on the table for the first time this season.
South Island United’s top goal-scorer this season, Ryan Feutz returned to the starting eleven, as Rob Sherman made three changes. Whilst the scorer of both goals for Bula FC in their 2-0 win over Tahiti United on the weekend – Setareki Hughes – was thrust into the starting line-up in one of two changes made by Stephane Auvray.
It was hometown hero and Solomon Islands international Rovu Boyers who again stamped his authority on the match, fresh off scoring the first hat-trick of the OFC Pro League just six days earlier.
He capitalised on a chaotic opening to the match, setting up David Yoo down the right-hand side of the box, who powered a finish into the roof of the net on his right foot to give South Island United the lead.
Boyers then added the second goal ten minutes later in the 26th minute, Yoo flicking the ball on for him to head past Foord at the back post.
Twice Bula FC had been caught in transition and twice they had conceded, as South Island United went to the break with a handy two-goal lead.
A disallowed goal from Roy Krishna for offside at the start of the second-half didn’t deter Bula FC though, who eventually halved the deficit just before the hour mark.
Sterling Vasconcellos found Thomas Dunn with a cut-back off the right flank, and the latter was on hand to head home past Steven Van Dijk, to give the Fijian side hope of a comeback.
Boyers thought he’d added the cherry on top with South Island United’s third goal just after the hour mark, only for VAR to intervene and rule him out for offside, handing Bula FC a decisive lifeline.
It was an opportunity the Fijian side took. Kaile Auvray’s late strike struck the hand of a South Island United defender and won his side a penalty, giving captain Krishna the chance to equalise.
He made no mistake, slotting the ball inside the bottom-left corner to score his second of the season and level the scores with a lengthy period of additional time still to play.
The drama wasn’t over yet though, Scott Wara scoring the winner in the 11th minute of injury-time with a sensational overhead kick from close range.
Home comforts await Bula FC next after today’s terrific high, with Round 5 of the OFC Pro League to be played in Fiji in April. They’ll open up against PNG Hekari FC at home, whilst South Island United are next in action against Vanuatu United FC.
South Island United: 2 (David YOO 16’, Rovu BOYERS 26’)
Bula FC: 3 (Thomas DUNN 56’, Roy KRISHNA (P) 90+1′, Scott WARA 90+11′)
HT: 2-0
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek