Four months after opening the competition in January, the first edition of the OFC Pro League came to a close at Eden Park, with Auckland FC making history as the winners of Oceania’s first professional football league.
Sunday’s final marked the 72nd and last fixture of the league’s inaugural season, which has seen all eight clubs do battle across five different countries and nine different venues.
Whilst only Auckland FC will celebrate long into the off-season, the first edition of the OFC Pro League has already seen a significant increase in the level of football in the region, and provided a strong base for all eight clubs moving forward.
Round Review
Following the conclusion of the regular season in Fiji, the competition split in two for Round 6 – the top four occupying the Leaders Group, and the bottom four making up the Challengers Group.
An opening day victory over Auckland FC helped South Melbourne FC take charge of the Leaders section, winning all three of their fixtures to claim top spot and the top seeding for the semi-finals. Auckland finished second, whilst South Island United secured their semi-final place with a decisive win over Bula FC.
In the Challengers Group, Vanuatu United FC kept their season alive by picking up seven points from their three fixtures – edging Solomon Kings FC to top the group and advance through to the semi-final playoff.
The Chiefs carried that momentum into the Pro League’s first-ever knockout match, coming from behind to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bula FC deep into extra-time of their semi-final playoff.
Unfortunately, their late run came to a halt in the last four, Jordan Swibel scoring twice as South Melbourne FC proved too strong in a 4-0 win. Auckland FC joined Hellas in the Pro League’s first final – Isa Prins coming off the bench to score the only goal in a 1-0 victory over New Zealand rivals South Island United.
Having led the competition throughout its inaugural season, South Melbourne FC and Auckland FC provided a fitting finale. Goals from Daniel Normann and Matt Ellis were enough to secure the silverware for Auckland, holding on for a 2-1 victory in front of a home crowd at Eden Park.
Moments that Mattered
Auckland FC write themselves into Oceania football folklore
The names of Auckland FC’s title-winning squad will be etched forever in history as the players to win Oceania’s first-ever professional football league – 60 years in the making since the Oceania Football Confederation was first formed.
Lifting the trophy on home soil in Auckland completed an impressive season for Luke Casserly’s men, losing just three of their 19 fixtures, and maintaining the best defensive record of all eight clubs with just 15 goals conceded.
Victory in the final also completed an incredible weekend of silverware for the club, as they also lifted the A-League Men’s Championship the night before.
Semi-final playoff drama
Having taken part in the OFC Pro League’s first official match four months earlier, Bula FC and Vanuatu United FC made history again by facing off in the competition’s first knockout fixture – the semi-final playoff at Go Media Stadium.
The two delivered arguably the most dramatic contest of the season – in a competition not short on drama. Vanuatu United FC suffered a red card late in regular time, but equalised in the 12th minute of stoppage-time, before scoring the winner in the 120th and final minute of extra-time to seal the victory.
The win came as part of a fairytale late run from the Chiefs in Auckland, who had topped the Challengers Group, but came undone in the semi-finals.
Passionate fans
Key to Vanuatu United FC’s impressive run of form was their passionate supporters, who gathered in particularly large numbers for their win over Bula FC at Go Media Stadium in the semi-final playoff.
They brought the color and noise to the stands in Auckland and were on hand to witness some of the most memorable occasions in Vanuatu football history during Round 6.
As well as the Vanuatu United fans, special mention must also be made to the plane-load of travelling South Melbourne supporters who made their presence felt at Eden Park for the final, despite their team’s defeat.
FIFA Intercontinental Cup qualification
As well as becoming the first club to lift the OFC Pro League trophy, Auckland FC also booked their tickets to FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ 2026.
Given South Melbourne FC’s ineligibility as a club from the Asian Football Confederation, Auckland were already assured of their place at the tournament before the final.
The FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ features the reigning club champions of each of the six FIFA confederations, contested in a knockout format – with Auckland FC set to face Asian champions Al-Ahli in the first round later this year.
Heartbreak for South Melbourne at the final hurdle
Heading into the final on a five-game winning streak, South Melbourne’s hopes of winning the OFC Pro League were dashed in the big dance by Auckland.
Hellas had topped the Leaders Group and possessed the best attacking record in the league with 54 goals in 18 games, but failed to fire at Eden Park. They must now regroup for the rest of their NPL Victoria season.