Round 5 of the OFC Pro League kicks off in Fiji this weekend, with the stakes high as clubs jostle for position before the league splits into the Leaders and Challengers Groups.
Twelve Round 5 matches and two rescheduled Round 3 fixtures will take place across seven match days at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva and 4R Electrical Govind Park in Ba.
The round is highlighted by some hotly-anticipated fixtures in the race for a top four spot, including Bula FC’s first set of games on home soil, and a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash between Auckland FC and South Melbourne FC.
Matchday Breakdown
Round 5 kicks off in Suva on Saturday, with two crunch matches to get the action underway. Vanuatu United FC face South Island United, whilst Tahiti United take on Solomon Kings FC.
Fiji’s first professional football club Bula FC, then play on home soil for the first time against PNG Hekari FC in Ba on Sunday, after Auckland FC and South Melbourne FC go head-to-head to kickstart the day.
The midweek Round 5 matches are highlighted by Bula’s match with South Melbourne FC in Ba on Wednesday evening, whilst Melanesian rivals Solomon Kings FC and Vanuatu United FC face-off in Suva on Tuesday.
Another key fixture likely to have a say on who makes the Leaders Group is South Island United’s clash with Solomon Kings FC on Friday April 17, whilst Bula FC’s final home match is against Auckland FC in Ba on Saturday the 18th.
The action in Fiji closes with two rescheduled Round 3 fixtures in Ba on April 21st – including the second edition of the North v South New Zealand derby between South Island United and Auckland FC.
Bula FC
Home comforts have arrived at the perfect time for Bula FC, who land in Fiji off the back of their most successful round of the competition so far.
Bula were the only team to win both of their games during Round 4 in Honiara, over Tahiti United and South Island United.
“Round 4 was good for us,” says coach Stephane Auvray. “Sometimes we haven’t got the points we’ve deserved, so it was good for the players to realise in Honiara that hard work pays off.”
They sit third in the table as it stands, and will be eager to maintain the momentum in front of their home fans – hosting three matches at 4R Electrical Govind Park in Ba.
“It’s very special because it’s the first time that Fiji’s professional football club has been able to play at home. The players are excited, and I hope the fans are.”
Auckland FC
League-leaders Auckland FC have opened up a four-point gap at the top of the table, but will feel the pressure again if they slip up to South Melbourne FC in their blockbuster clash on Sunday.
They continue to progress at a steady rate, picking up four points from their two matches in Honiara, including a 1-0 victory over Solomon Kings FC.
Luke Casserly’s men have recorded three consecutive clean sheets and have a stellar defensive record to maintain during their four games in Fiji – including the rescheduled North v South New Zealand derby against South Island United from Round 3, to be played at the end of their trip.
South Melbourne FC
Juggling their OFC Pro League commitments with the local NPL Victoria domestic league, South Melbourne FC continue to sit comfortably inside the top two.
They did lose some momentum in Honiara during Round 4 though, failing to win either of their two matches.
The former Oceania Club of the Century will be eager to get back on track against fellow frontrunners Auckland FC in their opening fixture, as they face a busy schedule of four matches in Fiji – including a rescheduled Round 3 fixture against Tahiti United.
Solomon Kings FC
After a strong start to the competition, Solomon Kings FC lost some steam in front of their home fans with just a point from their two matches in Honiara.
They remain two points ahead of Vanuatu United FC and inside the top four but have a crucial set of final fixtures to ensure they hold onto to a spot in the Leaders Group in what has been an impressive campaign so far.
Adding to the pressure is the fact that they failed to win any of the reverse fixtures against South Island United, Tahiti United or Vanuatu United FC earlier in the competition – something Ben Cahn’s side will have to overcome.
Vanuatu United FC
With four points from their two games against the league’s top two sides in Honiara, Vanuatu United FC were one of the big movers in Round 4 and will be hoping to maintain the momentum as they hunt down a top four spot in Suva.
“We’ve given the players some time away during the break,” says coach Lars Hopp. “It’s been good to get away from the competition for a few weeks, and have chance to look at the bigger picture of where we sit in the competition.”
The Chiefs are currently 5th in the table on 13 points, with all three of their remaining fixtures against those around them.
“We’ve tried to be consistent with the system and idea that we want the players to play. All three of our opponents are different tough, so we’ll change a few details and our preparation for each match accordingly.”
South Island United
The pressure is on South Island United, who arrive in Fiji outside the top four for the first time this season.
They have a game in hand on four of their five rivals for a place in the Leaders Group though, and will head to Ba for a rescheduled Round 3 match against New Zealand rivals Auckland FC at the end of their trip.
“We’ve worked on all four opponents,” says coach Rob Sherman. “We gave the boys a good break too, and are in a good space.”
Sherman has history in Fiji, having previously coached the men’s national team. “It’s been great to see some of the younger Fijian boys come through with Bula FC. I’m really pleased with what I’ve seen from them, and it’s good to see Fijian football in a good place.”
Tahiti United
Tahiti United have ground to make up in Fiji after failing to register a win in Round 4, losing to Bula FC and drawing with PNG Hekari FC.
They sit five points adrift of the top four as such, but like South Island United, have a game in hand, with a rescheduled Round 3 match to play in Ba at the end of their stay.
Still, Samuel Garcia’s side will likely need at least three wins from their four games to have any hope of catching the top four.
PNG Hekari FC
Another tough round beckons for PNG Hekari FC, who remain stuck to the bottom of the table ahead of Round 5 in Fiji.
They will take on both of the league’s top two in Ba, as well as host club Bula FC on the opening Sunday – a difficult schedule for any team.
So far, Jerry Allen’s side have mustered just one win from their 11 games. They’d dearly like to add another win to their tally before the league splits and they take their place in the Challengers Group.
Tickets & How to Watch
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