Fiji Heartbreak: 10-man Bula FC fall to 93rd minute winner in OFC Pro League clash

Bula FC’s semi-final dreams have taken a massive hit after a dramatic stoppage-time header from Ryan Feutz snatched a 1-0 win for South Island United in their Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Pro League match in Auckland on Wednesday.

It was a cruel finish for the Fijian side, who played more than half the match with 10 men after Setareki Hughes was sent off in the round six match at Go Media Stadium.

Despite being a man down, Bula FC were arguably the better side for long stretches, showing the kind of grit and "mana" that had the crowd on their feet.

The game turned on its head just before half-time when Hughes went in for a lunging tackle on South Island’s Rovu Boyers.

Referee Ben Aukwai originally pulled out a yellow card but after a quick trip to the VAR screen, he upgraded it to a red.

Suddenly, Bula FC were up against it. But if South Island Utd thought the game was over, they were wrong.

Bula fight back

Led by the electric pace of Kaile Auvray and the veteran smarts of Roy Krishna, the Fijians looked the more dangerous side in the second half.

Josaia Sela went close twice and a goalmouth scramble almost saw Scott Wara and Gabiriele Matanisiga poke the ball home.

South Island looked rattled. They struggled to make their one-man advantage count as Bula FC’s defence held firm.

Late late show: Ryan Feutz celebrates his stoppage-time winner that broke Bula FC hearts and put South Island United on the brink of the semi-finals. Photo/OFC Media via Phototek

At the other end, Bula goalkeeper Didier Desprez pulled off a world-class fingertip save to tip a Feutz rocket onto the crossbar.

As the clock ticked into five minutes of added time, it looked like Bula FC would escape with a heroic draw.

But in the 93rd minute, South Island’s Lewis Partridge swung in a perfect cross which Feutz rose highest, burying his header into the back of the net to seal the three points.

The result is a boost for Rob Sherman’s South Island side. But it leaves Stephane Auvray and his Bula FC squad with a mountain to climb.

With the semi-finals now in touching distance for the Kiwis, the Fijians have zero room for error in their final games.

South Melbourne stun Auckland FC

In the other match played on Wednesday, South Melbourne FC took down league leaders Auckland FC 2-1.

In a clinical two-minute blitz, the Australian side proved why they are title favourites.

Jacob Eliopoulos drew first blood in the 21st minute, powering home a header from a perfectly placed corner.

Before the Kiwis could catch their breath, Sebastian Pasquali doubled the lead just 120 seconds later, drilling a low shot into the bottom corner.

Auckland FC managed to claw one back before the break through a tidy Zac Zoricich finish but they couldn't find the equaliser in a physical, stop-start second half that saw four yellow cards flashed.

A clinical two-goal blitz by South Melbourne have handed Auckland FC their first defeat against the Australian side this season and shakes up the race for the semi-finals. Photo/OFC Media vis Phototek

The result is Hellas' first win over Auckland this season and moves them into a prime position to secure a semi-final spot next week.

The defeat ends Auckland FC's unbeaten run against the Melbourne side and adds even more pressure to a frantic final round of the Leaders Group.

The OFC Pro League continues on Thursday 7 May with the Solomon Kings taking on Tahiti United at 3pm while Vanuatu Utd face PNG Hekari at 7pm. For more details, click here.

This story has been updated to include the Auckland FC vs South Melbourne result.

Photo/OFC Media