South Melbourne FC have secured their place in the inaugural OFC Pro League final with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Vanuatu United FC at Go Media Stadium in Auckland.
Three of their four goals came in the first half, as Hellas secured their fifth consecutive Pro League win to set them on their way to the big dance at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon, where they’ll face either Auckland FC or South Island United.
Having rotated for their final Leaders Group fixture eight days previously, Sinisa Cohadzic brought the big guns back into the side for the semi-final, making six changes.
Meanwhile, injury to centre-back Jason Thomas and a suspension for Raymond Diho, forced Lars Hopp into two changes after Vanuatu United’s dramatic semi-final playoff victory over Bula FC three days prior.
Go Media Stadium was bathed in sunshine for the first of the two Pro League semi-finals, with a strong contingent of Vanuatu United fans again in the stands. Unfortunately, they had little to cheer about, Jordan Swibel forcing Matthew Acton into a save inside the first 60 seconds – a precursor of what was to come.
It was Swibel who was the scorer of the opening goal in the 17th minute, beating Acton with a delicate backheel at the near post following a low cross from Yuki Uchida off the left flank, setting Hellas on their way.
Swibel was again involved in the 32nd minute, after turning the ball towards goal from a corner delivery. A strong glove from Acton wasn’t enough to turn it away, doubling South Melbourne’s lead with an own goal.
South Melbourne’s place in the big dance at Eden Park on Sunday was all but confirmed seven minutes later, Max Mikkola adding the third goal. His effort took a freakish deflection off the boot of Kerry Iawak near the byline – bouncing over the goal-line off the underside of the crossbar.
Undefeated through their previous four matches in Auckland coming into the semi-final, Vanuatu United’s confidence had been shot by half-time. An inability to get the league’s top goalscorer Alex Saniel into space, and perhaps the toll of playing 120 minutes in the semi-final playoff, were factors in the deficit they faced.
Another set-piece proved the catalyst for South Melbourne’s fourth and final goal in the 57th minute, Swibel nodding the ball against the right post from Mikkola’s long throw, and Tommy Giannakopoulos scoring from close range on the rebound.
Swibel thought he’d scored his 10th goal of the season with a cracking right-footed effort soon after, only for the offside flag to deny him a spectacular second.
Hellas had plenty more opportunities to add to their tally, but three changes on the hour mark saw Sinisa Cohadzic’s men take their foot off the gas and cast their eye towards the final.
The opportunity to win Oceania’s first professional league and add another piece of silverware to their already historic trophy cabinet is now firmly in South Melbourne’s sights on Sunday, whilst Vanuatu United depart having captured the imagination of their passionate fans in their first season as a professional club.
South Melbourne FC: 4 (Jordan SWIBEL 17’, Own Goal 32’, Max MIKKOLA 39’, Tommy GIANNAKOPOULOS 57’)
Vanuatu United FC: 0
HT: 3-0
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek