Auckland FC celebrate their OFC Pro League victory over South Melbourne.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Auckland FC made it a triple celebration, as the OFC Pro League – the Oceania Football Confederation’s first-ever professional league – wrapped up at Eden Park on Sunday.
The home team defeated South Melbourne 2-1 in the final.
A Daniel Normann smacker, floated over South Melbourne goalkeeper Javier Diaz Lopez put them up 1-0 in the first half, before substitute Matt Ellis slotted one home in the second.
Normann was subsequently named Player of the Match, saying the players had worked hard over the last six months and were happy with their final win.
“It’s amazing, all the boys working hard for each other,” he said. “Winning the 50/50s was huge.”
Normann added the A-League triumph by their premier team on Saturday night was an inspiration.
South Melbourne came back with one goal of their own, with Yuki Uchida heading the ball to the back of the net in the 97th minute, but that proved too little, too late, as Auckland FC and their fans celebrated winning the inaugural title.
They had earlier won the right to represent OFC at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup later this year by reaching the final. South Melbourne could not qualify, as they were members of the Asian Confederation.
The hosts had a third reason to celebrate, after their brother club won the A-League final 1-0 over Sydney FC. Cam Howieson’s goal on the hour mark was the difference in that clash.
Auckland FC captain Tass Mourdoukoutas said winning the title in front of their fans was great.
“Oh, super stoked, like, it’s a grand final,” he said. “I don’t know what to say, it’s something I’ve never done before.
“I’ve never won a grand final my senior career, so it’s a first for me at 27. Time was sort of running out, so I’m really, really stoked for the hard work everyone put in.”
He said being able to double up, following their premier team’s A-League win, was special.
“It’s massive for the city, for the fans, they’re so loyal and they always turn up in their numbers,” he said.
“To win last night… I was at the game and I had to leave around the 75th minute. Wanted a good night’s sleep before this one, otherwise the parties could have gone on all night.
“Yeah, really, really stoked for the city. Tonight’s the obvious highlight, to be honest.”
Tough tussle
In the OFC Pro League final, both sides started with forays into each other’s halves.
About 2000 fans, mostly Auckland supporters, turned up to watch the final, closing off the competition that also kicked off at Eden Park in February.
South Melbourne captain Marco Jankovic led his side with their own plays from the back, working their way through the middle and pushing attacks out the flanks, before sending crosses into the box.
Uchida was a marked man and long-throw specialist Maximilian Mikkola tried his best to put the Auckland FC defence under pressure, lobb throws into the box from the sidelines.
Auckland FC held their own, with captain Mourdoukoutas setting up counterattacks from the back.
One such move saw Normann sending the ball to the back of the net, after Lopez had punched the ball towards him from a corner-kick.
The second half started with South Melbourne trying to get through the Auckland wall, but goalkeeper Oscar Mason held his ground well, directing his defenders from the back.
South Melbourne continued looking for a goal and, in the 54th minute, Uchida attempted one kick from inside the Auckland box, which was deflected out by a defender.
Red Drake also proved a constant threat for the South Melbourne defence, as time and again, he ran towards goal, but was unable to find the target.
So did Johnny Biddis, whose attempt in the 57th minute just went out off the post.
Supersub Ellis made amends, when he ran onto a cross inside the box and slotted the ball in between Lopez’s legs into the back of the net.
South Melbourne kept probing, with Uchida scoring a late goal, but that was not enough to disrupt Auckland FC’s celebration plans.
Individual award winners at the presentation:
- Auckland FC won the Fair Play Award, as the most disciplined team in the competition
- Golden Glove award was claimed by Auckland FC goalkeeper Oscar Mason
- Golden Boot for most goals went to Vanuatu United’s Alex Saniel
- Best Player of the Tournament was Daniel Normann of Auckland FC
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