Vanuatu United FC and Bula FC made Oceania football history at Eden Park in Auckland this afternoon, as they played out an entertaining draw in the first-ever match in the OFC Pro League.
Years of dreams, hard-work and planning finally came to fruition, as professional football in the Pacific entered into a new and exciting era.
Bula FC, featuring a number of Fijian internationals enjoyed much of the early running, with Roy Krishna – returning to the region after a stint in India – a constant menace to the Vanuatu United FC backline.
Despite their dominance however, it was Lars Hopp’s side that found the breakthrough, when Alex Saniel rose highest from a corner-kick, powering his header past a couple of bodies and into the net for the first goal in league history.
It was a lead that lasted only ten minutes however and when Bula FC’s equaliser arrived, it came via a familiar source.
Sterling Vasconcellos rose to meet a corner, and when the ball broke, Roy Krishna was on hand to slam home from a few yards out.
It remained level heading into the break but it was Vanuatu who appeared to lift themselves as the second period began, showing more confidence on the ball than they had in the prior 45 minutes.
In a half low on chances, there were half-opportunities for the likes of Krishna and Jordy Tasip, but neither goalkeeper was threatened for much of the second-half.
Teenager Kaile Auvray, son of head coach Stéphane, had been a regular threat in wide positions for Bula and it came as little surprise when he created the chance from which his side retook the lead. The pacey forward getting to the byline and cutting back for substitute Nabil Begg to hook the ball in with an acrobatic finish past Matt Acton.
Vanuatu United threw everything they had in search of a second equaliser and when it felt as if a point was slipping away, they were gifted a dramatic late reprieve.
William Cardona’s strike from distance was well-hit but straight at Didier Desprez, only for the goalkeeper to spill the effort into the roof of the net and ensure the spoils were shared.
Vanuatu United FC: 2 (Alex SANIEL 21′, William CARDONA 90+5′)
Bula FC: 2 (Roy KRISHNA 31′, Nabil BEGG 70′)
HT: 1-1
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek