After a two-week hiatus the OFC Pro League returns for its third circuit round in Melbourne, Australia.
Fifteen matches will be played at two different venues – Olympic Village and The Home of the Matildas – with six of the eight clubs to play four matches on their trip Down Under, after the reschedule of their postponed Round 1 fixtures.
Auckland FC remain atop the ladder, followed closely by host club South Melbourne FC, with Solomon Kings FC and South Island United also making up the top four.
Match Day Breakdown
The third round of the competition is highlighted by some marquee fixtures, no less than South Melbourne FC’s top-of-the table meeting with Auckland FC on the opening Saturday of action at Olympic Village.
That’s followed by two all-Melanesian affairs on Sunday, as Bula FC meet Vanuatu United FC in a replay of the opening match of the OFC Pro League, whilst rivals Solomon Kings FC and PNG Hekari FC go toe-to-toe.
The action heads to The Home of the Matildas for the rest of the matches, with the second edition of the North v South Island New Zealand derby between South Island United and Auckland FC, set to light up the midweek fixtures.
South Melbourne FC begin the second weekend of action against South Island United, whilst PNG Hekari FC face Vanuatu United FC in a replay of their dramatic 2-2 draw in Port Moresby, on Saturday the 28th of February.
Top four positions could be on the line during the three rescheduled fixtures from Round 1, including Bula FC’s meeting with South Island United.
South Melbourne FC
Host club South Melbourne FC head into Saturday’s top of the table clash as the only unbeaten team remaining in the competition after two rounds.
“We’re looking forward to Saturday. We respect Auckland and they’re well organised. We’ll come out with good intent to win,” says head coach Sinisa Cohadzic.
With home advantage for four fixtures, South Melbourne will see the second round as a golden opportunity to seize control of the top of the ladder.
Auckland FC
The league leaders head to Melbourne sporting some wounds, after suffering their first defeat of the season to Solomon Kings FC in Papua New Guinea.
“We want to make things right. That fire in the belly will be there come Saturday against South Melbourne, and we’ll put our best foot forward,” says defender Michael Den Heijer.
South Melbourne FC present their biggest challenge of the competition yet, followed by the second edition of the North versus South Island derby during the midweek fixtures, capping a testing round for Auckland FC.
Solomon Kings FC
Solomon Kings FC arrive in Melbourne with plenty of confidence after beating Auckland FC, keeping them inside the top four after two rounds.
“We were happy with the win in Auckland, but we’ve put that behind us,” says coach Ben Cahn. “The focus has been on recovery and making sure all our players are fit and available. This is an evolution and we’re still very early in the journey.”
They’ll be aiming to capitalise on their schedule in Melbourne, playing three of their four fixtures against clubs currently inside the bottom four.
South Island United
All eyes will be on the second North v South Island New Zealand derby for South Island United, who arrive in Melbourne just inside the top four.
“We’ve given the boys a four-day break to turn off from football. They’ve all come back enthused, and have trained very well,” says coach Rob Sherman.
Following their clash with Auckland FC, South Island meet the other club inside the top two – South Melbourne FC on Saturday the 27th of February.
Bula FC
Inconsistency has been an issue for Bula FC early on, who have shown good signs but won just one of their first five matches.
“We’ve focused on improving in the final third and our finishing. We’re now creating chances but need to start scoring more goals,” says coach Stephane Auvray.
Bula play all three of their Melanesian neighbors in Melbourne, including Vanuatu United FC in a replay of the opening game of the OFC Pro League on Sunday.
Tahiti United
Tahiti United claimed four points from their three games in Port Moresby, winning their first OFC Pro League match against Bula FC.
“That win has given us momentum, but we have a tough round coming up in Melbourne, against some big clubs,” coach Samuel Garcia commented.
He’s right that they have a challenge, with Tahiti United set to face three of the four clubs currently inside the top four on the ladder during the third round.
Vanuatu United FC
Head coach Lars Hopp and three of his players will watch on from the stands when Vanuatu United FC open Round 3 against Bula FC, all having seen red during their final match in Papua New Guinea.
“Every player is important, as is every coach. It’s now time for some of the other players to step up and I’m happy for them to have that chance,” Hopp said.
Vanuatu United are one of two clubs who will play just three matches in Melbourne and face key games against all three of their Melanesian neighbors as they attempt to climb up the ladder.
PNG Hekari FC
Following the resignation of Marcos Gusmão, former Solomon Islands international Jerry Allen will step up as coach of PNG Hekari FC for his first full round of OFC Pro League action in Melbourne.
“The round in Port Moresby was tough for us,” says Allen. “Melbourne is a new challenge and I believe in the players. We are ready for Round 3.”
PNG Hekari FC remain in a tricky position at the bottom of the ladder, with just one point from five games, and may see Melbourne as a fresh start to turn their campaign around.
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