National League / OCL

OFC Professional League matches thread

425 replies · 11,932 views
20 Jan 06:29 · edited 20 Jan 06:33 · History
2-0.

Crafty Tade milks and converts a pen. He'd tried the same earlier looking for contact in the box. Learnings for the VU guys.
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20 Jan 06:42
To be honest Vanuatu have been the better team 

Auckland will rise once more

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20 Jan 06:44
AucklandPhoenix
To be honest Vanuatu have been the better team 
Yeah tbh 2-0 is harsh on them. Glad they haven't collapsed.
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20 Jan 06:47 · edited 20 Jan 06:48 · History
Owen Smith looks the best of the kiwi players

Auckland will rise once more

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20 Jan 06:55
Owen Smith, Ramazani and Otto Ingham looking a level above the Vanuatuan players, I guess that's what this comp is about trying to close that gap though
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20 Jan 07:06 · edited 20 Jan 07:07 · History
AucklandPhoenix
Owen Smith looks the best of the kiwi players

He was MVP of the National League.
He would likely look even better playing for AFC II or SIU.

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20 Jan 07:22
What a hilarious Vanuatu goal lmao. Theyre back in the game
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20 Jan 07:27
Isa Pins has fantastic feet. How did the NIX not look at him. 

Smith looks decent too for Vanuatu.
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20 Jan 07:30
Pins isn't flash, clearly Nix had the right idea, got to question the selection process to be fair, its very mpl level

Smith is decent, Gillian has place some good football recently
MetalLegNZ
Isa Pins has fantastic feet. How did the NIX not look at him. 

Smith looks decent too for Vanuatu.
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20 Jan 07:33 · edited 20 Jan 07:33 · History
Good goal by Ellis.

Didn’t the Nix have a good long look at him recently?

He has some pace.

Auckland will rise once more

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20 Jan 07:33
Great goal Matt Ellis - super effort bottom left corner! 3-1
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20 Jan 07:37 · edited 20 Jan 07:38 · History
I don’t think it’s been a great game by Pins.

But you can see some real skill there.

I’m just wondering what is his best position long term. He doesn’t look like a natural forward and lacks that pure pace.

Has a big body and seems to not be afraid to mix it. 

Long term a classy box to box 8?

Auckland will rise once more

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20 Jan 07:43 · edited 20 Jan 07:45 · History
AucklandPhoenix
I don’t think it’s been a great game by Pins.

But you can see some real skill there.

I’m just wondering what is his best position long term. He doesn’t look like a natural forward and lacks that pure pace.

Has a big body and seems to not be afraid to mix it. 

Long term a classy box to box 8?
Was a lovely flick on by Prins for Ellis's goal.
Apparently he has a strong futsal background. I'm only watching bits & pieces.

By yeah maybe he could end up a tall languid looking midfielder aka Stamenic.

The Nix twice bought in Ellis for a looksee. Last season and this pre season.
Armineto becoming available, likely meant Chiefy not signing Ellis for this season. That and I guess signing Edwards.

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20 Jan 07:53
coochiee
AucklandPhoenix
I don’t think it’s been a great game by Pins.

But you can see some real skill there.

I’m just wondering what is his best position long term. He doesn’t look like a natural forward and lacks that pure pace.

Has a big body and seems to not be afraid to mix it. 

Long term a classy box to box 8?
Was a lovely flick on by Prins for Ellis's goal.
Apparently he has a strong futsal background. I'm only watching bits & pieces.

By yeah maybe he could end up a tall languid looking midfielder aka Stamenic.

The Nix twice bought in Ellis for a looksee. Last season and this pre season.
Armineto becoming available, likely meant Chiefy not signing Ellis for this season. That and I guess signing Edwards.

and that's what gives AFC an edge over us unfortunately, they can sign people up for a look and use them in this league.
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20 Jan 08:09
Nix have the academy and reserves team for that purpose.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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20 Jan 08:20
theprof
Nix have the academy and reserves team for that purpose.

Yeah but this OFC League is a step up from Central & even National League.

Plus AFC II have signed lots of players who weren't in their reserves during the domestic season, specifically for this comp. Prins, Ferguson, Donkers, Ellis, Robinson, Normann, Ronan Wynne etc.

They get a good close up look at any who they feel could come into their ALM setup, who weren't in their reserves/Academy pathway.

That at the end come May, this mostly young group of players on minimal wage, hopefully qualify them for a spot to FIFA's Intercontinental Cup riches. Win, win for AFC.


I'm sure Dome and the Nix will have another crack at trying to get a Nix II team in this comp.
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20 Jan 09:09
I think the Nix’s chances hinge upon New Caledonia getting their domestic affairs settled and entering the comp. 

Thus an expansion to ten teams.

Their domestic affairs are outside anyone’s control, but the Nix reaching out and establishing some type of partnership with the New Caledonians wouldn’t be a stupid move.

Auckland will rise once more

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20 Jan 10:42
observerfromuh
coochiee
AucklandPhoenix
I don’t think it’s been a great game by Pins.

But you can see some real skill there.

I’m just wondering what is his best position long term. He doesn’t look like a natural forward and lacks that pure pace.

Has a big body and seems to not be afraid to mix it. 

Long term a classy box to box 8?
Was a lovely flick on by Prins for Ellis's goal.
Apparently he has a strong futsal background. I'm only watching bits & pieces.

By yeah maybe he could end up a tall languid looking midfielder aka Stamenic.

The Nix twice bought in Ellis for a looksee. Last season and this pre season.
Armineto becoming available, likely meant Chiefy not signing Ellis for this season. That and I guess signing Edwards.

and that's what gives AFC an edge over us unfortunately, they can sign people up for a look and use them in this league.
Still think other A-League teams might start kicking up a stink when they sign a super team around Club World Cup time
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20 Jan 11:34 · edited 20 Jan 11:35 · History
theprof
Nix have the academy and reserves team for that purpose.

Can you please enlighten me with me one decent player (not academy) we have signed for our reserves to have a look at in Central/National League before signing for the A-League?

As I see it, if you're a young kiwi player and you have central/national league or FIFA CWC on offer, it's really a no brainer.
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20 Jan 11:51
LT01
observerfromuh
coochiee
AucklandPhoenix
I don’t think it’s been a great game by Pins.

But you can see some real skill there.

I’m just wondering what is his best position long term. He doesn’t look like a natural forward and lacks that pure pace.

Has a big body and seems to not be afraid to mix it. 

Long term a classy box to box 8?
Was a lovely flick on by Prins for Ellis's goal.
Apparently he has a strong futsal background. I'm only watching bits & pieces.

By yeah maybe he could end up a tall languid looking midfielder aka Stamenic.

The Nix twice bought in Ellis for a looksee. Last season and this pre season.
Armineto becoming available, likely meant Chiefy not signing Ellis for this season. That and I guess signing Edwards.

and that's what gives AFC an edge over us unfortunately, they can sign people up for a look and use them in this league.
Still think other A-League teams might start kicking up a stink when they sign a super team around Club World Cup time
if the AL does implement the hard cap of $3m + 1 marquee, at most all the riches of the CWC on top of the riches of AFC's owners can only be funnelled into 1 player (and whatever they can off the pitch, which they kind of do with travelling a day earlier than most/all AL teams).
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20 Jan 13:05 · edited 20 Jan 13:06 · History
observerfromuh
theprof
Nix have the academy and reserves team for that purpose.

Can you please enlighten me with me one decent player (not academy) we have signed for our reserves to have a look at in Central/National League before signing for the A-League?

As I see it, if you're a young kiwi player and you have central/national league or FIFA CWC on offer, it's really a no brainer.

LBS was one

Nathan Walker and Dylan? Gardiner two others I think joined the Nix from up north after going to the U17 WC pre, AFC coming into existence 

But it’s gonna be harder for the Nix now re grabbing upper NI talent from the NZ U17s. AFC will be targeting those kids as early as age 13-14 for their Academy pathway setup
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20 Jan 18:10 · edited 20 Jan 18:13 · History
Do you mean move their current squad to the club World Cup?

Or do you mean splash out on gun players that year.

They still would need to abide by a hard cap - assuming it comes into place with only one marquee.
LT01
observerfromuh
coochiee
AucklandPhoenix
I don’t think it’s been a great game by Pins.

But you can see some real skill there.

I’m just wondering what is his best position long term. He doesn’t look like a natural forward and lacks that pure pace.

Has a big body and seems to not be afraid to mix it. 

Long term a classy box to box 8?
Was a lovely flick on by Prins for Ellis's goal.
Apparently he has a strong futsal background. I'm only watching bits & pieces.

By yeah maybe he could end up a tall languid looking midfielder aka Stamenic.

The Nix twice bought in Ellis for a looksee. Last season and this pre season.
Armineto becoming available, likely meant Chiefy not signing Ellis for this season. That and I guess signing Edwards.

and that's what gives AFC an edge over us unfortunately, they can sign people up for a look and use them in this league.
Still think other A-League teams might start kicking up a stink when they sign a super team around Club World Cup time

Auckland will rise once more

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20 Jan 21:40
coochiee
This is not the fault of OFC. 

Can't expect them to know the drainage capability or lack of, given NHS is one of Auckland's top 3 stadiums hosting many sporting fixtures. Plus it sits right alongside the headquarters of both NZ Football and Auckland FC.

But yes it reflects badly on Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), the council-controlled organisation for Auckland Council.
NHS is garbage and needs to be bulldozed

Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads



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20 Jan 22:09
There's no way these two matches get played today with the incoming weather. 😔
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20 Jan 22:15
Well that was quick...

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20 Jan 22:20
Don’t know when these will be played but you have to imagine that this benefits AFC, having got their two games done and with two wins.

Auckland will rise once more

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20 Jan 23:00
Wonder how apollo projects stadium is looking today.
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21 Jan 00:24
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22 Jan 10:56 · edited 22 Jan 10:58 · History
Yes timeliness is needed to be a pro footballer!
SIU to benefit from only having played once this week so far, compared to Vanuatu twice.

Bula verus Auckland could be a goodie - if these matches actually happen.

Games to be played on Friday January 23, 2026

South Island United v Vanuatu United
North Harbour Stadium, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand, 3pm

Auckland FC v Bula
North Harbour Stadium, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand, 7pm

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/01/22/good-friends-turn-rivals-for-south-island-uniteds-next-ofc-pro-league-clash/

‘Good friends’ turn rivals for South Island United’s next OFC Pro League clash

Vanuatu United’s match against South Island United in the OFC Pro League will be a special occasion for Vanuatu winger Jordy Tasip, who will be lining up against many familiar faces on Friday.

Tasip spent the past season with Christchurch United in the New Zealand National League and will face several former teammates on the South Island United team.

“They’re good friends to me, so tomorrow is a special game for me,” says Tasip, who will bump into Christchurch United players Steven van Dijk, Ollie van Rijssel, Riley Grover, Charlie Beale and injured Josh Rogerson.

Tasip and fellow Vanuatu international Walter Leoru had a tough introduction to the South Island, arriving in the dead of winter.

“Yes, it was really cold for us, like minus zero. During that time we were also training early in the morning, so it’s a big challenge for me,” laughs Tasip, who quickly became a popular figure in the Christchurch squad.

“He’s a legend, isn’t he. I think he enjoyed his time with us, apart from the cold weather, maybe,” says South Island United vice-captain Van Rijssel.

“He’s a worker, and he’ll just get stuck in,” says the left fullback, who is glad Tasip will most likely play opposite Riley Grover on the other wing.

“But if he drifts over, I’ll be glad I have my shin pads on.”

Tasip is enjoying his time in the OFC Pro League and says that coach Ryan Edwards and teammates in Christchurch helped him to become a more professional player.

“I picked a lot of things from the coaches and the players. To reach a level like this, you have to commit yourself and be on time.”

Meanwhile, Vanuatu United head coach Lars Hopp said he is likely to rotate his squad, with the team playing their third match in six days.
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23 Jan 01:33
A bit of rotation by Vanuatu. Both Kiwis Smith & Ingham to the pine.



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23 Jan 02:11
Nice goal for Feutz that! Well taken. Not sure what is going on with Vanuatus offside line there. 
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23 Jan 02:12
Early goal too
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23 Jan 02:16
AND ANOTHER IN THE 8TH WOW
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23 Jan 02:42
ohhhh Vanuatu had a good oppurtunity there, surprised the ball didn't go in. South Island has a strong offence but their defence and midfield keeps making dangerous mistakes, passing to Vanuatu players in their own half or leaving a player unmarked. I don't think they'll be punished too hard in the early stages of the comp but they really need to tighten up
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23 Jan 02:49 · edited 23 Jan 02:49 · History
Similar story for Vanuatu Utd in this game and the midweek game - competitive but concede too easily from not much pressure
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23 Jan 03:31
Vanuatu United get one back! They've been a lot better this 2nd half
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23 Jan 03:32
Oh wow Saniel scores for Vanuatu to make it 2-1. They've been looking very improved this half and like the comentators have been talking about a goal was really due for them
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23 Jan 03:50 · edited 23 Jan 03:51 · History
And now they've evened it up! 2-2 now after Smith scores.

Only 5 or so minutes left
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23 Jan 03:50
I can't believe it they f'ing equalised 
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