Despite being the shortest round of the OFC Pro League, Honiara arguably produced the best days of the competition so far, highlighted by passionate crowds and plenty of drama.
Auckland FC continue to lead the table, followed by South Melbourne FC four points behind, but it was Bula FC who took significant strides towards a top four position in Round 4, overtaking South Island United and Solomon Kings FC to jump into third.
Round Review
Round 4 of the OFC Pro League featured just four match days and only two games for each club, making every point crucial.
Auckland FC gained revenge for their shock defeat in Port Moresby back in Round 2 – beating Solomon Kings FC in front of their home fans and collecting four points to maintain their position atop the standings.
They were helped by South Melbourne FC, who slipped up and suffered their first defeat of the season to Vanuatu United FC.
Bula FC were the big movers of the round and were the only club to win both of their games in Honiara, leaping above South Island United and Solomon Kings FC into the top four with their home round in Fiji up next.
The Kings, in contrast, failed to take full advantage of their home round, conceding late in both their defeat to Auckland and in a draw with South Melbourne – but remain just inside the top four, two points ahead of their nearest challengers.
Despite recording a win in Honiara, South Island United are one of those who have dropped into the chasing pack and are tied on 13 points with Vanuatu United FC, who like Bula, also impressed in Honiara.
Tahiti United have lost some ground with their failure to win in Round 4, whilst PNG Hekari remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Moments that mattered
Solomon Islands fans bring the energy
Two sell-out crowds at the National Stadium were the highlight of Round 4 of the OFC Pro League, both for the two match days involving Solomon Kings.
Crowds of over 9,000 filled the stands – the highest attendances for any OFC Pro League match so far. Their noise, energy and passion created an electric atmosphere, underlining their status as a football-mad Pacific nation.
South Melbourne’s unbeaten record comes unstuck at eight
The only unbeaten club remaining in the competition arriving in Honiara, South Melbourne FC lost to Vanuatu United FC, ending their eight-game undefeated run to start the inaugural edition of the OFC Pro League
Alex Saniel and Otto Ingham scored for the Chiefs as South Melbourne suffered a 2-0 defeat at the National Stadium. They backed it up with a 1-1 draw against Solomon Kings FC but now find themselves four points adrift of the league leaders.
Hometown hero scores first hat-trick in league history
Solomon Islands international Rovu Boyers dazzled his home crowd during South Island United’s visit to Honiara, scoring the first hat-trick of the competition in a 4-1 victory over PNG Hekari FC.
His first goal came in the 16th minute, before adding two more after the break as South Island United recorded their first win since Round 2.
Boyers scored again in South Island’s dramatic defeat to Bula FC in their second game, taking his goal tally to five for the season.
Vanuatu United FC continue to climb
Drawn against the top two sides in the league, Honiara beckoned as a tough round for Vanuatu United FC on paper.
The Chiefs rose to the occasion though, carrying on the momentum from their first OFC Pro League win in Melbourne to defeat South Melbourne FC 2-0, before a hard-fought 0-0 draw with league leaders Auckland FC.
Lars Hopp’s side collected four points from their two matches and even more impressively kept two clean sheets. Those results keep Vanuatu United FC firmly in the picture for a top four spot, despite having picked up just three points from their first six matches.
Bula FC finally click into gear
Plagued by inconsistent results throughout their campaign so far, Bula FC were another team to impress in Honiara, picking up two wins from two.
Substitute Setareki Hughes provided the impact in a 2-0 win over Tahiti United to begin their stay, before Stephan Auvray’s side pulled off a remarkable comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit and defeat South Island United 3-2.
Scott Wara’s late bicycle kick in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time will live on as an iconic moment for both Bula FC and the competition’s inaugural season.
Looking ahead
The OFC Pro League heads to Fiji next for Round 5 in mid-April.
All eight clubs have three weeks to prepare, giving them time to assess their campaign so far with finals quickly approaching.
Bula FC will get the chance to play in front of their home fans for the first time, whilst the make-up of both the Leaders and Challengers Group will be confirmed.
Buy your tickets for Round 5 HERE