A goal in the final minute of extra-time from substitute Nicolas King sent ten-man Vanuatu United FC into the OFC Pro League Semi-Finals, and a date with South Melbourne, as they came from behind to win an epic contest against Bula FC, 2-1.
King struck with virtually the last kick of the contest to ensure a remarkable conclusion to a contest that kept the watching crowd enthralled throughout.
Bula FC coach Stephane Auvray made half-a-dozen changes from the team that were beaten 4-2 by South Melbourne FC in the final match of the Leaders Group, whilst his opposite number, Lars Hopp, stayed faithful to the starting X1 that drew with Tahiti United to secure qualification from the Challengers’ section.
Vanuatu fashioned the first clear-cut chance of the contest in only the seventh minute. Owen Smith whipped in a pinpoint cross that was met by the forehead of Aelx Saniel, but the OFC Pro League Golden Boot leader was unable to find the target, narrowly heading over the crossbar.
It was Bula FC who took the lead though shortly before the twenty-minute mark. Kaile Auvray flighted over a corner that was partially cleared to the edge of the box where, lurking with intent, midfielder Josaia Sela met the ball with violence on the half-volley sending it whistling past Matthew Acton and into the net.
The Fijians had the ball in the net for a second time just past the half-hour, however Thomas Dunn saw his fine finish from an Auvray pass chalked off for the narrowest of offsides. Saniel meanwhile tested Dider Desprez with a low first-time effort at the other end.
Trailing at the interval Vanuatu needed some inspiration to keep their season alive and started the second half strongly, Captain Michel Coulon not getting enough onto his shot to trouble Desprez eight minutes in.
The pressure continued to mount, with Owen Smith and Otto Ingham beginning to pull the strings, leading to Coulon once more failing to hit the target on the hour after a long throw-in had caused chaos in the Bula FC defensive ranks.
With time running out and Vanuatu chasing the game, Hopp introduced Azariah Soromon into the fray in place of Kathy Iamak, throwing caution to the wind as their season ebbed away with every passing second despite the vociferously passionate support of their ever-enthusiastic fanbase.
Defending heroically, Bula repelled the increasing Vanuatu attack and should have put the game to bed eight minutes from time. Roy Krishna broke and slid a pass into Maikah Dau, but when composure was required, it was sadly lacking, Dau slashing his effort wide of the near post.
Vanuatu would end the match a man down following the late dismissal of Raymond Diho after an off the ball incident with Krishna, but incredibly, deep into stoppage time, the ten-men forced extra-time. Substitute Soromon leapt highest to meet a Smith corner and bullet a header home to restore parity.
The extra half-hour failed to produce any meaningful goalmouth action until the final seconds of the contest. And it was the depleted team who supplied it. Soromon shaped to send a ball into the penalty area, where it was met by a flick of King’s head, finding its way past a diving Desprez to send Vanuatu’s support into raptures and their team into the last four.
Bula FC: 1 (Josaia SELA 18’)
Vanuatu United: 2 (Azariah SOROMON 90+12’, Nicolas KING 120’)
(after extra-time)
HT: 1-0
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek