National League / OCL

OFC Professional League

1160 replies · 76,605 views
15 Dec 06:54
In future you would hope to have NZs hosting maybe in two hubs. Two double headers each round, South Island Utd in Chch and AFC II in Auckland. Then it ensures a home team in every game.

Think the attendances will be pretty low for the non-NZ team matchdays
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16 Dec 04:04
Might be one of the better Island teams Bula FC, and will get some good crowd support for the Auckland hub. More if games were at Mt Smart rather than Eden Park/NHS.

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16 Dec 08:45
coochiee
Might be one of the better Island teams Bula FC, and will get some good crowd support for the Auckland hub. More if games were at Mt Smart rather than Eden Park/NHS.


It's a good signing, but their squad overall is quite young.

Vanuatu Utd have maybe made the most impressive signings from overseas, but their local talent isn't as strong.
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16 Dec 09:56
I mean, if the Pasifika support exists, getting to Eden Park surely won’t be the problem? 

If you live in Auckland you can get access to a car. There are roads and trains and buses between all parts of Auckland and Eden Park. 

If this malarkey was being played at Craven Cottage and there was a shadow All Whites team playing Kiwis would pile in from all over. 

The question is I guess what’s being done not to patronise supporters and create a carnival atmosphere which encourages everyone to stay beyond their games, get chatting to each other etc etc. Perhaps a few people selling Fiji bitter for $2.50 a couple of houses down in the break? $10+ beer would be mental. 

Is anyone contacting potential supporters groups in the hubs? 

Any time Krishna played at Eden Park we had good crowds. 


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16 Dec 10:35
LT01
coochiee
Might be one of the better Island teams Bula FC, and will get some good crowd support for the Auckland hub. More if games were at Mt Smart rather than Eden Park/NHS.


It's a good signing, but their squad overall is quite young.

Vanuatu Utd have maybe made the most impressive signings from overseas, but their local talent isn't as strong.

It's probably the strongest Vanuatu have ever been in the region at least at a national team level, off the back of their Oceania Nations Cup runners up in 2024 and recent winning of the MSG Prime Ministers Cup for 2025.
 
While that may not necessarily correlate to the club team, there is a solid core of players who are signed up to Vanuatu United who were apart of that recent competition win. I think they'll go into this thing as a bit of a dark horse in all honesty.
 
Just personally, I think all the island sides in this Pro League are going to be scrapping over themselves when competition gets under way in January. Consistency has never been the forte of our OFC neighbours, so I wouldn't be surprised to see some wild swings in results - at least for the first couple of rounds anyway.
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16 Dec 11:27 · edited 17 Dec 06:08 · History
martinb
I mean, if the Pasifika support exists, getting to Eden Park surely won’t be the problem? 

If you live in Auckland you can get access to a car. There are roads and trains and buses between all parts of Auckland and Eden Park. 

If this malarkey was being played at Craven Cottage and there was a shadow All Whites team playing Kiwis would pile in from all over. 

The question is I guess what’s being done not to patronise supporters and create a carnival atmosphere which encourages everyone to stay beyond their games, get chatting to each other etc etc. Perhaps a few people selling Fiji bitter for $2.50 a couple of houses down in the break? $10+ beer would be mental. 

Is anyone contacting potential supporters groups in the hubs? 

Any time Krishna played at Eden Park we had good crowds. 

Last year, Dan Hall paid a visit to Mangere FC to connect with Auckland's Fijian community.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPoBMvD9o6M

If they are organised enough and the club surface there is good, Bula FC should hold an open training session there.

But I'm sure there will be a few Paskifa events held when the Island teams arrive in Auckland. For example Ahuuranui Tahiti is a Tahitian Arts School based in the 09.

I think it was the AWs verus Vanuatu game at the Tron last year, where a large group of RSE scheme workers turned up to support Kaltak and his mates.
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17 Dec 06:19
martinb
I mean, if the Pasifika support exists, getting to Eden Park surely won’t be the problem? 

If you live in Auckland you can get access to a car. There are roads and trains and buses between all parts of Auckland and Eden Park. 

If this malarkey was being played at Craven Cottage and there was a shadow All Whites team playing Kiwis would pile in from all over. 

The question is I guess what’s being done not to patronise supporters and create a carnival atmosphere which encourages everyone to stay beyond their games, get chatting to each other etc etc. Perhaps a few people selling Fiji bitter for $2.50 a couple of houses down in the break? $10+ beer would be mental. 

Is anyone contacting potential supporters groups in the hubs? 

Any time Krishna played at Eden Park we had good crowds. 

Yeah, except that pretty much only applies to Fijians. Aucklands biggest Pasifika communities aren't represented in this comp, and there's mostly just seasonal workers from Vanuatu and the Solomons, and very few altogether from PNG and Tahiti.
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17 Dec 06:37
You sense this comp badly needs an airline sponsor like Qantas or Air NZ to jump onboard. It's just such a far flung group of clubs.

Until then the hub concept may have to unfortunately stay. Which then means no proper H&A season, and small crowds for many of the games in a hub.

Some of the air travel times are long and likely pretty damn expensive. For example there are no direct flights from Papeete to Honiara, so the flying time depends heavily on layovers (Brisbane, Nadi, Auckland). AI says total travel times can range from around 20 to over 40 hours
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17 Dec 09:17
coochiee
You sense this comp badly needs an airline sponsor like Qantas or Air NZ to jump onboard. It's just such a far flung group of clubs.

Until then the hub concept may have to unfortunately stay. Which then means no proper H&A season, and small crowds for many of the games in a hub.

Some of the air travel times are long and likely pretty damn expensive. For example there are no direct flights from Papeete to Honiara, so the flying time depends heavily on layovers (Brisbane, Nadi, Auckland). AI says total travel times can range from around 20 to over 40 hours

It desperately needs an airline sponsor or a regional conglomeration of airline sponsors full stop! With or without the hub concept.

But I guess build it and they will come…


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18 Dec 01:26
YoungHeartHM
LT01
coochiee
Might be one of the better Island teams Bula FC, and will get some good crowd support for the Auckland hub. More if games were at Mt Smart rather than Eden Park/NHS.


It's a good signing, but their squad overall is quite young.

Vanuatu Utd have maybe made the most impressive signings from overseas, but their local talent isn't as strong.

It's probably the strongest Vanuatu have ever been in the region at least at a national team level, off the back of their Oceania Nations Cup runners up in 2024 and recent winning of the MSG Prime Ministers Cup for 2025.
 
While that may not necessarily correlate to the club team, there is a solid core of players who are signed up to Vanuatu United who were apart of that recent competition win. I think they'll go into this thing as a bit of a dark horse in all honesty.
 
Just personally, I think all the island sides in this Pro League are going to be scrapping over themselves when competition gets under way in January. Consistency has never been the forte of our OFC neighbours, so I wouldn't be surprised to see some wild swings in results - at least for the first couple of rounds anyway.

They are in a good patch with Nations Cup and Prime Ministers Cup performance, but I would pump the breaks just a little bit on the enthusiasm. OFC competitions tend to carry a heavy home advantage so it isn't surprising they reached the Nations Cup final, while the Prime Ministers Cup just isn't a very serious competition. 

Prior to the Nations Cup they were one of the weaker of the established sides in Oceania, and WCQ showed they're still a wee way off. Plus their league/domestic is behind other countries as shown by typically weak performances in the Champions League.

But I do rate many of their signings, and hopefully they and the other island teams can challenge the ANZ trio.
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19 Dec 03:23 · edited 19 Dec 03:23 · History
So Bula FC set to announce Matt Food, Adam Supyk and one other Kiwi?

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19 Dec 04:14
Supyk senior confirmed for Bula FC.
Pretty sure he never played England age group.

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19 Dec 04:35
image.png 71.14 KB

PNG Hekaris squad announcements so far via the OFC Pro League website. They haven't seemed very active on social media about the PNG players. Raymond Gunemba in there at 39!
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22 Dec 07:19
Fergus Gillion and Matt Foord both sign for Bula FC... serious moves
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23 Dec 00:19
Interesting short chat with Bula FC Head Coach Stephane Auvray.
He's from Guadeloupe and had a long playing career in France, and then 2 seasons in the MLS.

So well versed with requirements of pro football, and it sounds like he's furiously getting the Bula FC squad up to a higher level of fitness. Two sessions a day.
Not doing any tactical stuff as yet. The young Kiwi guys brought in to bring an increased level of professionalism.

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23 Dec 02:27
I guess we will know SIU and AFC II's last signings later today or tomorrow.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/12/22/deadline-nears-for-ofc-pro-league-clubs-to-complete-first-season-signings/

The clubs must submit their first team squad lists for the opening round to OFC by 5pm (NZT) on Tuesday December 23, 2025, providing players have been registered no later than Monday December 22, 2025.

Team lists need to have at least 20 players, including three goalkeepers, and a maximum of 23 players.

The league gets underway on Saturday January 17, 2026.
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23 Dec 03:17 · edited 23 Dec 03:19 · History
Be very interesting to see the number of AFC first team squad including scholarship players that make the cross over.

As everyone seems fit, it may be all scholarship players including Gillion and possibly Sail, if they want to take a calculated chance that Woud doesn’t go down on match day.

Both Sail and Gillion need games so I expect it will happen.

Auckland will rise once more

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23 Dec 03:28 · edited 23 Dec 04:10 · History
AucklandPhoenix
Be very interesting to see the number of AFC first team squad including scholarship players that make the cross over.

As everyone seems fit, it may be all scholarship players including Gillion and possibly Sail, if they want to take a calculated chance that Woud doesn’t go down on match day.

Both Sail and Gillion need games so I expect it will happen.

Nah. Sail might play some games for AFC II during the Auckland hub, but I'd say that's unlikely and he'd be a zero chance to travel with them to any hubs elsewhere. Nightmare trying to recall him from say Honiara if Woud went down injured.

AFC II have signed Oscar Mason as effectively their 3rd GK, with Joe Knowles, Blake Callinan and Eli Jones already on their books.

Liam Gillion likewise might get some mins in the Auckland hub, but again unlikely. 

Clubs can only register 23 players in the OFC League. 
With 3 games in a week in hot steamy conditions they might well need all 20 outfield players during a hub. Why bother registering two first team players like Sail and Gillion who would barely feature in the OFC League.
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23 Dec 03:59
Think they will want to win it.

Let’s see. 

Auckland will rise once more

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23 Dec 21:41
Will squads by published or just submitted today?
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24 Dec 10:56
Bula have signed Japanese midfielder Kuta Konagaya. Has mostly played NPL in Aus but is on the older side now at 32.

More exciting perhaps is Kaile Auvray, son of the coach Stephane. Been involved in academy and B teams of Lille and some MLS teams, represented USA at U17s and now plays for Trinidad & Tobago. Only 21 too, so perhaps a little in between clubs stint for him to bounce back in his career. Seems like it works for all parties.
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25 Dec 22:38
It may be have been asked, but what do you think is a the biggest crowd for any one fixture, what would the fixture be and the crowd number.

I mean get your crystal ball out folks, but any idea?

"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington

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25 Dec 22:46
coochiee
Supyk senior confirmed for Bula FC.
Pretty sure he never played England age group.


No, definitely, not an English age group, family moved here when he was about 4 yrs old from memory.


"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington

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25 Dec 22:49 · edited 25 Dec 22:50 · History
If OFC promote it well, free tickets kids, nice sunny day etc, 10k might turn up to EP for SIU verus AFC II.
Game part of a doubleheader football festival 

The Port will be there and is some uniqueness with the whole comp

Otherwise I think the crowds will be big in Honiara for Solomons Kings games. They love their football there.
Bula FC games will get decent crowds in Fiji. Smaller crowds I reckon in PNG

Sth Melbourne hub. No idea. But it’s a pretty crowded sports landscape there. Hub there might struggle to generate much of a profile 
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25 Dec 23:04 · edited 25 Dec 23:10 · History
Solomon Kings look like being behind the eight ball initially. Slow to get organised

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/12/26/ofc-pro-league-club-sign-former-mens-a-league-coach-ben-cahn/

But by the time they host the 4th hub in hot horrid Honiara in March, it will be very diffferent

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/12/26/ofc-pro-league-club-sign-former-mens-a-league-coach-ben-cahn/

Hubs go NZ, PNG, Melbourne, Honiara and Fiji

Finals all in NZ in May. So going to be some big temperature changes between the various hubs
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26 Dec 04:49

Roy Krishna joins Bula FC
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30 Dec 05:11
Solomon Kings domestic players prior to heading to Australia for a two week training camp.
Kings-2-1-1320x743.png 1.21 MB

Rafael Lea'i sneaking in at the back there in between the tall timber - to the right of Gordon Iro (the one with the afro).
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30 Dec 05:13
No visa players?
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30 Dec 05:31
A Solomon Star article I read referenced 3 overseas players - I'm guessing Jez Lofthouse is already included in that.
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30 Dec 05:38
I know the full squads haven’t been released but I find it surprising one of the top teams in Oceania - New Caledonia, are not really represented in other teams - particularly Vanuatu.

Auckland will rise once more

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30 Dec 05:47 · edited 30 Dec 08:33 · History
Geography wise New Caledonia is closest to NZ, Fiji and yes Vanuatu.

But they are  French speaking, like Tahiti. So it might be with Tahiti United where a few NC players crop up??

Also alot of their national team are based in France. And lastly with that big March Intercontinental WC playoff tourney approaching, the national team maybe going into camp through some of February and March. Warmup games/camp in France??

They play Jamaica 26th of March in Guadalajara, Mexico.

In summary the NC players available for this OFC League, likely not their better talent, and then they maybe unavailable for a few weeks through Feb-March. 
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30 Dec 17:47
I havent been following too closely all the recruiting but it seems quite a few kiwis have been recruited across many teams for this competition. Certainly you would expect this for the NZ teams but they appear to be popping up in the PI squads as well. 
Has anyone counted the number of kiwis involved?
We really are living in the golden age for pro NZ footballers. A couple of years ago the Nix was the main outlet for kiwi lads wanting to be a pro footballer in our area. Now with AFC and the new Oceania pro league there will be dozens of kiwis involved
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30 Dec 21:56 · edited 30 Dec 22:47 · History
So far by my count 32 Kiwis have been named. There is a full list in the Kiwis Elsewhere thread

Should finish up around 40 range. 
AFC II still have to announce another 6-9 so players to complete their squad, and most will be NZers. SIU another 1-3 maybe.

Of that 40 or so, you’d expect at least a couple to be breakout stars and go onto the ALM or even Europe 
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02 Jan 05:54 · edited 02 Jan 05:54 · History
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/01/02/its-about-giving-our-children-heroes-to-look-up-to-vanuatu-uniteds-vision/

The president of the Vanuatu Football Federation, Lambert Maltock, said establishing the country’s first professional team heralded the dawn of a new era.

“Though small, our love and passion for this beautiful game is as big as any continent on our planet,” Maltock said.

He described the club’s establishment as a football revolution for both Vanuatu and the wider Pacific.

“It is about giving our children heroes to look up to. It is about building careers, communities and dreams,” he said.

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04 Jan 21:00 · edited 04 Jan 21:01 · History
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-pro-league-partners-with-tvnz/?fbclid=Iwb21leAPHmd1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4m5K2tA-IBRDnzmiJIuGCeOten5WJ-Ke_Bi2lIWzpyO9TYRxX6oYU9ANyJrQ_aem_pSvwz99EGGrQnJo5pkEN9g

TVNZ+ will show all South Island United games and Auckland FC games live during the OPL, as well as both semi finals and the Final.

OFC also say “This is just the first of our broadcast deals to be concluded and we thank TVNZ+ for their support and look forward to watching their coverage throughout the tournament.” - so clearly still trying to get more broadcast deals
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04 Jan 21:46
Wonder who will commentate?  Hopefully the same folks that do the other OFC tournaments. 
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05 Jan 00:45
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/01/05/auckland-fc-and-south-island-united-games-to-screen-live-in-ofc-pro-league/

Broadcaster TVNZ will provide live coverage of all games played by Auckland FC and South Island United in the new OFC Pro League set to launch in mid-January.

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) have agreed a partnership with the national broadcaster to screen the games on their free-to-air TVNZ+ channel.

The partnership is the first television deal for the newly created professional league, and OFC say negotiations for broadcast rights for the Pro League are being finalised for other parts of the Oceania region.

The OFC Pro League, which has eight teams from seven nations, will kick off on Saturday January 17, 2026, with a double header at Auckland’s Eden Park.

All Auckland FC and South Island United matches from the five Circuit Series rounds will be shown live on TVNZ+, as will both semi-finals and the first-ever OFC Pro League Final, scheduled for Eden Park on Sunday May 24, 2026.

“We are extremely pleased that TVNZ+ has committed to showing all matches involving both teams from New Zealand,” OFC general secretary Franck Castillo said.

“Our vision for the Pro League was always to create a league to capture the hearts and minds of the football community in the Oceanic region.

“This first broadcast deal is an integral part of that vision as we seek exposure for what will be an historic first season of football in the Pacific.

“TVNZ+ has a tradition of showcasing the game to the New Zealand football community, and the addition of the Pro League to their output continues that great support of our sport.

“This is just the first of our broadcast deals to be concluded and we thank TVNZ+ for their support and look forward to watching their coverage throughout the tournament.”

“The Pro League fits in perfectly in our growing football portfolio and our aim to continue building football fandom ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Melodie Robinson, head of sports, events and partnerships at TVNZ, said.
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