Mission Possible

Extra Bula FC has achieved their mission of securing another three points. This was the view of veteran striker Setareki Hughes after their 2-1-win OFC Pro League points table leaders Auckland FC at Govind Park, Ba, on Saturday night.

Hughes said it was their faith in Jesus Christ that enabled them to bounce back from an earlier loss to upset the competition favorites.

“We believed in ourselves to make the impossible, possible,” he said.

“We did this by faith (in God) and through teamwork we came out with the win.”

Hughes said going into halftime with the lead, the only message for them was to control the game, which enabled them to accomplish their mission.

The win saw Bula FC confirmed their place in the Leaders Group.

Under the pump for large stages, both of Bula’s goals came in the first half from captain Roy Krishna and Sterling Vascon-cellos– condemning Auckland FC to just their second defeat of the campaign and completing a day of upsets which saw both of the OFC Pro League top two sides lose.

The win pushes Bula FC’s points tally up to 21 on the Pro League table, ensuring a top four finish and a spot in the Leaders Group, where they’ll meet Auckland again in May.

It took several quality saves from goalkeeper Didier Desprez just to keep Bula FC afloat inside the first 10 minutes– denying Kian Donkers from close range and Liam Gillion from a direct free kick.

James Bayliss also had an effort cleared off the line from Bula defender Scott Wara as Auck-land made a dominant start.

Lucky not to find themselves trailing, the hosts instead took the lead against the run

of play in the 14th minute. Wara flicked on a free kick delivery, which Sterling Vasconcellos turned into the back of the net at the back post.

The league leaders continued to control possession and the tempo after conceding, keeping Desprez busy with a long-range shot from Matty Ellis.

They were made to rue a clinical touch when Bula doubled their advantage.

Roy reminded the region of his talent, catching Auckland FC on the counter and scoring with a superb solo finish in the 35th minute for his third goal of the season.

For all their dominance on the basis of play though, Auckland did at least get one back before the break their own veteran striker Emiliano Tade halving the deficit after linking with Daniel Normann inside the penalty box.

Chasing their third consecutive victory of the round, Luke Casserly’s men remained on the front foot in the second half, buoyed by the momentum of Tade’s goal.

While the hosts can now look ahead to the Leaders Group during Round 6 in May, Auckland FC still have one match to play in Fiji a rescheduled Round 3 fixture with South Island United in Ba on Tuesday afternoon.

Gonerau scores

Meanwhile, Labasa central defender Lekima Gonerau scored Papua New Guinea Hekari FC’s first goal as they upset South Melbourne FC 2-1 at the same venue on Saturday.

The win sees Hekari claim their second win of the OFC Pro League and will now prepare for their campaign in the Challengers Group in New Zealand, while South Melbourne FC move to 23 points, with one game to spare in Fiji against Tahiti United before the league splits.