Auckland FC remain perfect in OFC Pro League with tense 1-0 win over Fiji's Bula FC

Auckland FC have made it three wins from three to kick off their OFC Pro League campaign, grinding out a nervy 1-0 victory against Bula FC at North Harbour Stadium on Friday.

Midfielder Daniel Normann’s early strike in the 12th minute proved decisive, with Auckland holding firm despite finishing the match with 10 men after a second‑half red card.

The result leaves Luke Casserly’s side top of the table with maximum points as they prepare to travel to Papua New Guinea for the second round of fixtures.

Auckland FC reverted to the same starting 11 that helped secure a season‑opening win against South Island United, with Reid Drake and Daniel Normann the only players to start all three of the club’s opening Pro League fixtures.

Bula FC, forced to reschedule their midweek fixture due to heavy rain, made two changes from their opening draw with Vanuatu United FC, bringing in Japanese midfielder Yuta Konagaya and winger Nabil Begg.

The match’s only goal came in the 12th minute, with Drake’s low corner delivery from the right meeting Normann, who calmly slotted home with his right foot into the bottom‑right corner.

Brothers on opposite sides add intrigue

The pre‑match build‑up had centred on the unique subplot of the Gillion brothers: Liam starting for Auckland FC and Fergus lining up for Bula FC.

It was Fergus who had one of Bula’s clearest first‑half chances, but he lifted a volley over the bar just before the half‑hour mark after a strong run from Trinidad & Tobago international Kaile Auvray down the left.

Auckland’s Everton O’Leary thought he had doubled the lead early in the second half, pouncing on a miscued clearance by Bula goalkeeper Didier Desprez, only for VAR to rule the effort out for offside.

Bula had a similar fortune soon after, with Begg’s close‑range effort also chalked off following a VAR offside call in the buildup.

Rain swept back into Auckland late in the contest, making the pitch slippery and contributing to rising tensions.

Ten men and late pressure

A key turning point came when O’Leary was shown a second yellow card and dismissed for a slide tackle on Auvray, reducing Auckland to 10 men.

With the extra player, Bula pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Auvray scuffed a half‑volley wide, and veteran striker Roy Krishna, tightly marked by Auckland captain Tass Mourdoukoutas, was unable to find space in the final third.

Bula head coach Stéphane Auvray made two late substitutions to spark a late surge, but Oscar Mason and the Auckland backline held firm.

Frustration mounted in stoppage time, with several late cautions as Bula sought an unlikely leveller.

Photo/OFC Media - Phototek

Auckland FC’s clean sheet and third straight win cement them at the summit after the opening round, while Bula FC remain searching for their first victory, sitting on just one point from their opening draw.

South Island Utd claim first OFC Pro League win

Earlier on Friday, South Island United made history with a 2-1 victory over Vanuatu United FC at North Harbour Stadium.

Ryan Feutz and Haris Zeb scored inside the opening ten minutes to give South Island a strong start, despite a second-half fightback from Vanuatu United.

Alex Saniel pulled one back for Vanuatu in the 67th minute, and Owen Smith thought he had levelled late on, but a VAR review ruled out the goal for a foul in the build-up.

The win marks South Island United’s first in the competition and sets up both sides for Round 2 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

For more information, fixtures, and results of the 2026 OFC Pro League, click here.

Action from the OFC Pro League match between South Island United and Vanuatu United FC at North Harbour Stadium. Photo/OFC Media - Phototek