The second round of the OFC Pro League saw late drama, stunning goals, and a plethora of milestone moments, as Oceania’s first professional football league continued to turn heads in Papua New Guinea.
Auckland FC and South Melbourne FC have maintained their position inside the top two, but results across the six match days of action at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby showcased the growing competitiveness of the competition.
Round Review
The battle for a spot inside the top four and a place in the Challengers Group intensified during the 12 matches played in Papua New Guinea, with only three points separating Solomon Kings FC in third and Tahiti United in sixth.
Although they suffered a defeat to Bula FC, the Kings were the most impressive performers during the second round, taking points off both New Zealand teams. They drew 0-0 with South Island United, before producing an impressive 3-1 victory over previously unbeaten Auckland FC to close out the second round.
They now sit level with South Island United on eight points, whilst Tahiti United and Bula FC have five.
Elsewhere, host club PNG Hekari FC delivered improved performances, including registering their first point of the competition in a 2-2 draw with Vanuatu United FC. Late drama was a theme of their three second round matches though, conceding four of their six goals in injury-time. Along with Melanesian rivals Vanuatu United, they are the only two clubs yet to pick up their first win of the season.
Up top, Auckland FC remain the league leaders with 15 points from their six fixtures, despite their defeat to the Kings, after winning their first two fixtures of the round against PNG Hekari FC and Tahiti United respectively.
South Melbourne FC remain second, four points behind Auckland FC on 11 points, winning one and drawing two of their three matches in Port Moresby.
Moments that Mattered
Solomon Kings FC stun league leaders
The highlight of the second circuit round was Solomon Kings FC’s stunning 3-1 victory over league leaders Auckland FC on the final weekend.
Having scored just one goal from their first four fixtures, the Kings exploded into life against the New Zealanders. Sota Higashide, Bobby Leslie and Jez Lofthouse all found the back of the net as they picked up their second victory.
Coach Ben Cahn will hope the win can provide the springboard for the rest of their campaign, pushing them up to third on the table after the second round.
Marcos Gusmão resigns as PNG Hekari FC coach
Brazilian manager Marcos Gusmão resigned as PNG Hekari FC coach after a 0-2 loss to Auckland FC during the opening weekend in Port Moresby, citing personal and family reasons.
His resignation was another blow in what has been a challenging start to the club’s season, failing to take advantage of home conditions in Port Moresby and without a win after two rounds.
Former Solomon Islands international Jerry Allen now steps up as coach for the rest of the campaign, having previously led Hekari United to the OFC Men’s Champions League title in 2010, and hoping to provide the spark PNG Hekari FC need.
Alex Saniel scores Pro League’s fastest goal
Vanuatu United FC forward Alex Saniel now holds two competition records after the second round of the season – scoring the OFC Pro League’s very first goal at Eden Park during Round One – and now scoring the league’s fastest goal after just 57 seconds during Vanuatu United’s defeat to South Melbourne in Round Two.
He has been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult start to the season for Vanuatu United, sitting second in the early OFC Pro League golden boot standings with four goals from his club’s first six matches.
Bula FC and Tahiti United register their first wins
Both Bula FC and Tahiti United won their first OFC Pro League matches during the second round of the competition – both by 1-0 scorelines.
Bula FC beat Solomon Kings FC during their first game of the round, before losing to Tahiti United on the round’s final weekend. The two sides will now have something to build on as the league heads to Australia for Round 3.
South Melbourne FC remain unbeaten
Australian club South Melbourne FC remain the only club yet to taste defeat during this season’s OFC Pro League, winning three and drawing two of their five fixtures.
They sit second behind Auckland FC in the standings with a game in hand, but as the action heads home to Australia next week, will be confident of jumping ahead of their rivals, particularly if they win when the two sides meet on February 21st.
Looking ahead
The OFC Pro League heads to Australia for Round 3, as the inaugural competition nears it’s halfway mark.
The Trans-Tasman battle betwen the league’s top two – Auckland FC and South Melbourne FC – will take centre stage, with the make-up of the top four also set to undergo another shake-up.