OFC Pro League: Late goals and big wins shake up race for top 4

A dramatic weekend of football across the Pacific has tightened the race for the top four with home pride, late goals and standout individual efforts taking centre stage.

In Fiji, Bula FC made history on home soil at Ba, marking their first-ever match in front of their fans with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Papua New Guinea’s Hekari FC.

Backed by a loud local crowd, the Fijians controlled much of the game before finally breaking through just after the hour mark.

Roy Krishna set up Adam Supyk, whose finish was initially ruled out before a VAR check confirmed the goal, sparking wild celebrations.

The result keeps Bula FC firmly in the hunt near the top of the table and underlines their growing confidence at home.

Elsewhere, Tahiti United kept their finals hopes alive in emphatic fashion, powered by a brilliant hat-trick from Germain Haewegene in a 5-1 win over Solomon Kings.

After a tight first half, Tahiti United came out firing after the break, scoring within seconds before Haewegene took control.

His pace and finishing proved too much, as the French Polynesian side ran away with the match to move within touching distance of the top four.

Late goals, big performances, and shifting momentum: teams across the Pacific continue to battle for a place in the top four. Photo/OFC Media/Phototek

It was one of the most dominant performances of the round and a clear warning to the teams above them.

There was just as much drama in the clash between Auckland FC and South Melbourne where the New Zealand side edged a thrilling top-of-the-table contest.

Auckland struck inside 30 seconds but South Melbourne responded strongly to take the lead before halftime. The game turned again in the second half with Auckland finishing stronger.

A stunning strike from Matt Ellis brought them level before a late red card to South Melbourne shifted momentum.

Auckland took full advantage, scoring the winner through Ronan Wynne to stay top of the table.

The result strengthens Auckland’s grip on first place while South Melbourne now face pressure from teams closing in behind them.

But the most dramatic finish came in Suva. South Island United scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 win over Vanuatu United in one of the games of the weekend.

Trailing late, the New Zealand side found a lifeline through a superb free-kick from Ryan Feutz. Then, with the final kick of the match, substitute Ry McLeod pounced on a defensive mistake to seal all three points.

It was a huge turnaround for South Island United, who had been struggling for form, and it throws them right back into the race for a top-four finish.

Across the Pacific, the message is clear: the competition is wide open.

With just a few points separating multiple teams, every result now carries weight and momentum is beginning to build at the right time for sides pushing towards the finals.