Auckland win OFC Pro League

Auckland FC made history, defeating South Melbourne in the OFC Pro League final.

Auckland FC have won the first edition of the OFC Pro League, defeating South Melbourne FC 2-1 in the final at Eden Park.

Goals in either half secured the title for Auckland, making history by becoming the first club to win Oceania’s inaugural professional football league.

Auckland City took care of South Island (1-0), while South Melbourne dispatched of Challenge Group and semi-final playoff winner Vanuatu United (4-0) in their respective semi-finals.

The ledger was even between the two clubs coming into the big dance, both having won one, and drawn one of their three previous encounters. Both sides knew this was the one that mattered most though.

Riding high off their A-League squad’s Championship success across town the night before, Auckland FC made a bright start. Striker Jonty Bidois showed his strength to outmuscle South Melbourne defender Jacob Eliopoulos, before laying it off for Zac Zoricich to pull wide of the bottom-left corner on his right foot.

Javier Diaz Lopez did well to claw away a shot from James Bayliss, but Auckland FC found the breakthrough from the following corner delivery in the 23rd minute.

Hellas failed to clear their lines, and Daniel Normann lifted a effort over the top of Diaz Lopez, which the ‘keeper could only get fingertips to as the ball nestled in the net.

Normann’s goal sparked wild celebrations from his teammates and the home Auckland crowd – as the first-ever OFC Pro League final goal.

It should have been two when Isa Prins was found in space inside the penalty box, only for him to lift the ball inches over the crossbar from point-blank range.

In contrast, South Melbourne coach Sinisa Cohadzic was growing increasingly frustrated on the touchline. His side lacked the same attacking fluidity that had seen them score 54 goals in their previous 18 games, with a deflected effort from Lampard, and a tame overhead attempt from Swibel their best first half opportunities.

A planeload of South Melbourne fans had made the trip across the ditch too, but matters were made worse for their side when Alex Menelaou was stretchered from the field before the half-time break.

Auckland FC hadn’t lost from a winning position this season, and they went for the kill in the second half. Jonty Bidois remained their focal point up front, forcing a save from Diaz Lopez in a one-on-one situation, and then pulling a right-footed effort wide of the left post from the edge of the box.

Just as he had done in the semi-final four days earlier, Luke Casserly turned to his bench for some impact. He brought both Aston Burns and Matt Ellis into the attack to continue to set Auckland’s energy levels up front.

It was the pair who combined for the decisive second goal in the 72nd minute, Burns laying it through for Ellis, who burst into the box and nut-megged the goalkeeper – all but sealing Auckland as inaugural Pro League winners.

South Melbourne found a goal back late in second half stoppage-time, Arran Cocks picking out Yuki Uchida in the box to head into the top-right  corner.

It proved too little, too late however, as Auckland FC held on for the victory and to make history as inaugural OFC Pro League winners.

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