Bula FC face must-win clash

The Extra Bula FC’s season is on the line this Sunday when they face Vanuatu United FC in a must-win semifinal playoff at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.

A win over Vanuatu United FC sees the Roy Krishna-captained-side qualify for OFC Pro League semi-final next Wednesday.

Bula FC head coach Stéphane Auvray said yesterday that the team is mentally prepared and ready to give their all

With their campaign on the line, Auvray said the squad has responded positively despite the pressure surrounding this must-win encounter.

“We’re preparing well,” he said during the media conference.

“We took one recovery day after the last match and got back to work straight away. The players are ready to go.”

He stressed the importance of composure and taking their chances against a confident Vanuatu United FC outfit that has im-pressed throughout the competition.

“It will be important to finish the chances we create,” Auvray said.

“Games like these are often decided by small moments. We need to stay solid, take our opportunities and play a very disciplined match.”

The coach admitted the team may need to adopt a more pragmatic approach after focusing heavily on attacking football during the Leaders Group stage.

“We’ve been very strong defensively, but we opened ourselves up a little more by trying to attack and create spaces,” Auvray explained.

“We played some really good football, but for this match we may need to go back to basics and be more pragmatic.”

Despite criticisms over results in the Leaders Group, Auvray defended the teams.

progress, highlighting the short time the club has existed and the largely amateur background of his players.

“Nothing went wrong,” Auvray said.

“We’ve only existed for five or six months, and we are competing against clubs that have been professional for years.

“About 90 per cent of our players come from amateur football, so reaching the Leaders Group itself is already an achievement.”

The French tactician also dismissed suggestions that discipline had become an issue after recent yellow and red cards.

“The red card came from a late challenge, not from bad discipline,” he said.

“We’ve had three yellow cards in three games, so I don’t think discipline has been a major concern.”

Auvray also praised Vanuatu United’s dangerous attacking threat, particularly competition top scorer Alex Saniel. He believes facing quality opposition would help

his players grow.

The better players we face, the better for our development. They are unpredictable and very challenging, which forces our players to improve.

Lanky Bula FC defender Gabrielle Matanisiga echoed his coach's confidence, saying the squad believes it can rise to the challenge on Sunday.

We're learning from every game, Matanisiga said.

We believe in each other, and we know we can do the job.

FIXTURES

For Wednesday, May 20, at the Go Media

Stadium in Auckland, NZ.

• 1.30pm South Melbourne FC v Playoff

winner (Bula FC v Vanuatu United

FC);

• 6.30pm Auckland FC v South Island United.