South Melbourne FC logo.
Photo: www.ofcproleague.com
South Melbourne FC became the first team to qualify for the OFC Pro League final, following their crushing 4-0 win over Vanuatu United FC in Auckland this afternoon.
The side led 3-0 at halftime, before a fourth goal in the second half secured them their final spot and stopped Vanuatu United’s run in the competition.
Player of the match Jordan Swibel, who scored the opening goal of the match, said post-match it was a good win for them, as they now turn their focus to Sunday’s final.
“The squad knows how to play in big games, today was a big game,” he said.
“Today was fantastic to get four goals, could have been more.Looking forward to Sunday.”
Losing Vanuatu United coach Lars Hopp said South Melbourne was the better team on the day and in the end his team just ran out of steam.
“After five games about two weeks it’s something you expect,” he said.
“We ran out of energy and steam. Credit to South Melbourne. We are still very happy to reach the semifinals.
“Very proud of the boys to be the first Pacific island team to be in the final four,” Hopp said.
He said they have learned a lot and have laid a good foundation for the second season.
“To be the highest ranked Pacific teams have made us very proud. It’s a good starting point to move on to and we gotta keep learning.”
Three first half goals set the pace for South Melbourne, as they led 3-0 at halftime.
Although Vanuatu came out of the gate strongly it was Swibel who opened the scoring slotting a classy back heel into the net after Yuki Uchida sent him a neat pass inside the Vanuatu box, as Melborune went up 1-0 after 17 minutes.
Vanuatu captain Michel Coulon was off the field at that time because of the concussion protocol and Melbourne made use of numerical advantage, playing down that left flank to work their goal in.
In the 26th minute Swibel was at it again, having a free run into the box before his shot deflected off Vanuatu United goalkeeper Matthew Acton’s legs and hit the post.
The ball hit the goal post, bouncing towards the empty goalmouth, but was cleared off the line by Nicholas King.
Then it was Jordon Lampard who sent in a corner into the box, and in the melee Swibel sent the ball towards goal, which Acton could not hold.
That rolled into the net for South Melbourne’s second goal which was counted as an own goal.
Then in the 38th minute Max Mikkola got a deflection into the net after pressuring the Vanuatu United defense giving them a 3-0 advantage going into the break.
In the second half Vanuatu managed to stem the tide a little but a goal to Tommy Giannakopoulos in the 57th minute sealed South Melbourne’s final spot.
The Australian outfit is set to play the winner of Auckland FC and South Island United, who will battle in the second semifinal at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. The match kicks-off at 6:30pm NZT.
