Bula FC stun Auckland to seal top-four spot in OFC Pro League

Bula FC gave their home fans a night to remember n Ba, knocking off the leaders of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Pro League in a fired-up round five clash on Saturday.

In front of a packed crowd, the Fijian club showed heart and composure to hold off one of the competition’s strongest teams.

The win now locks in a top-four finish and strengthens Pacific pride in the competition.

Bula’s win also hands Auckland their second loss of the season while Bula move to 21 points ahead of the return match in New Zealand later in May.

Head coach Stephane Auvray praised his players’ effort after a tough, physical contest.

“I love the way the players fight… we did decent in the first half, and then it was just about fighting and giving everything they have.”

Auckland struck just before halftime to put the pressure on but Bula responded through Roy Krishna and Sterling Vasconcellos, whose goals proved the difference on the night.

From the opening whistle to the final minutes, Bula’s defence stood strong. Goalkeeper Didier Desprez came up big when it mattered most, pulling off the key saves to deny Auckland as they pushed for an equaliser.

Auvray’s changes also played a part. With legs tiring late in the game, he reshuffled his side, bringing on former Auckland FC defender Semi Nabenu for the final 20 minutes, a move that helped disrupt Auckland’s rhythm.

The visitors kept coming but couldn’t find a way through. Frustration boiled over late, with captain Tass Mourdoukoutas sent off as tensions rose.

When the final whistle blew, the Ba crowd erupted, celebrating a result that keeps Bula FC flying the flag as the only Pacific side in the top four. They now sit alongside Auckland FC, South Melbourne (2), and South Island United (4) as the race to the finals heats up.

In other results, Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United picked up their second win of the season beating South Melbourne 2-1 to finish strongly. Tahiti edged Vanuatu United 1-0, while South Island United saw off the Solomon Kings 2-1.

Auckland FC remain in Fiji and will face South Island United in a rescheduled Round 3 clash in Ba on Tuesday afternoon.

For more information on the 2026 OFC Pro League, click here.