Auckland hit back in five-goal derby thriller as Melbourne remain perfect in leaders round

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Pro League Leaders Round delivered big goals, comebacks, and tight finishes in Auckland this week.

Auckland FC stole the headlines with a strong derby win but South Melbourne FC remain the team to beat after finishing unbeaten.

The hosts produced the standout result of the round, storming back from a second-half scare to beat South Island United 5-2 at Eden Park in a fiery New Zealand derby.

Tuesday's match was tight early. Both sides battled for control and chances were hard to come by.

Auckland had the better of the openings but it took a set piece to break the deadlock just before half-time. Emiliano Tade’s corner drifted straight in to give Auckland a 1-0 lead.

South Island United hit back early in the second half. David Yoo finished from close range before a deflected Riley Grover strike turned the game on its head at 2-1.

But Auckland responded in style. In a nine-minute burst, they scored three times to take full control.

Aston Burns struck twice on either side of an own goal to swing momentum firmly back to the home side. Isa Prins then sealed the win late on to complete a strong derby performance.

The two sides will meet again in next week’s semi-final, which sets up another big clash in Auckland.

South Melbourne FC stayed unbeaten in the Leaders Group with a controlled 4-2 win over Bula FC, sealing their place in the OFC Pro League semi-finals in Auckland. Photo/OFC Media/Phototek

South Melbourne vs Bula

Elsewhere, South Melbourne FC underlined their title credentials with a controlled 4-2 win over Bula FC from Fiji to finish the Leaders Group unbeaten.

Despite making six changes, the Australian side struck early through Jack Pope before Bula levelled via Ibraheem Afazal after a sharp counter.

South Melbourne took charge before the break. A penalty from Max Mikkola restored their lead before Andrew Mesourouni added a third with a clean volley.

They pushed on after half-time. Jordon Lampard added a fourth from the edge of the box.

Bula kept fighting and pulled one back through veteran striker Roy Krishna but South Melbourne stayed in control to close out another strong win and head into the semi-finals full of confidence.

Vanuatu United FC players celebrate after they edged Solomon Kings 3-2 in a tense, physical battle to move closer to the Challengers Group semi-final play-off. Photo/OFC Media/Phototek

Vanuatu Utd vs Solomon Kings

In the Challengers Group, Vanuatu United FC edged Solomon Kings 3-2 in a tense and physical contest at Go Media Stadium.

Vanuatu started strongly, dominating possession and creating early chances, but had to wait until the 35th minute to break through when Otto Ingham headed home after good build-up play.

The Solomon Kings grew into the match and kept pushing, turning it into a back-and-forth battle after the break.

Both sides traded goals in a dramatic second half, but Vanuatu held firm late to secure a vital win that edges them closer to the semi-final play-off.

Tahiti United and PNG Hekari FC were both eliminated after a dramatic 2-2 draw that ended their hopes of reaching the Challengers Group semi-finals. Photo/OFC Media/Phototek

Tahiti Utd vs PNG Hekari

A late 2-2 draw between Tahiti United and PNG Hekari FC in Auckland saw both teams knocked out of the Challengers Group play-off race. Neither was able to close the gap on the leaders.

Kasum Gabriel gave Hekari the lead but Tahiti hit back through a Tevita Waranaivalu header before a frantic final stretch saw Lekima Gonerau and Joseph Athale trade late goals in a dramatic finish.

Despite chances at both ends and a tense closing spell, neither side could find a winner, which ended their hopes of reaching the last four.

The OFC Pro League semi-finals will be held on Wednesday 20 May in Auckland and the final is scheduled for Sunday 24 May in Tāmaki Makaurau.

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