OFC Professional League matches thread

The OFC Pro League is for benefit of the Confed as a whole, not just for NZ clubs or NZF.

If OFC see a major financial benefit in having an Aussie team (SM) in the comp, well that’s their business. Esp since the OPL is gonna need all the financial help it needs to survive long term

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-pro-league-welcome-to-papua-new-guinea/

Good read up on PNG

What is the deal with the postponed matches from the last round? Are they expected to be replayed?

santy

What is the deal with the postponed matches from the last round? Are they expected to be replayed?

Will be played in one of the remaining circuits. 

I'd say most likely it will be the Honiara leg given that round only has two matches for each side, albeit bookended by the international window which begins on March 23rd.

YoungHeartHM

santy

What is the deal with the postponed matches from the last round? Are they expected to be replayed?

Will be played in one of the remaining circuits. 

I'd say most likely it will be the Honiara leg given that round only has two matches for each side, albeit bookended by the international window which begins on March 23rd.

I think the Solomon Islands national team might be the only active one in that window though. 

YoungHeartHM

santy

What is the deal with the postponed matches from the last round? Are they expected to be replayed?

Will be played in one of the remaining circuits. 

I'd say most likely it will be the Honiara leg given that round only has two matches for each side, albeit bookended by the international window which begins on March 23rd.

Bonus for AFC II & Vanuatu United - the only two teams to play 3 games in NZ.

You'd take 3 games in a week in coolish Auckland, any day over 3 games in a week in oven like Honiara. The cards certainly fall AFC II's way nicely.

I'm guessing those are local KO times?
Conditions will be challenging for the NZ teams.

New Zealand (NZDT) is 3 hours ahead of Papua New Guinea (PNGT/Port Moresby) during daylight saving time (roughly September to April)

In February, Port Moresby experiences hot, humid, and rainy weather, as it is one of the wettest months of the year. 

Temperature Averages
Daily High: Approximately 31°C to 32°C (87°F - 89°F).
Daily Low (Night): Around 23°C to 24°C (74°F - 75°F).

coochiee

I'm guessing those are local KO times?
Conditions will be challenging for the NZ teams.

New Zealand (NZDT) is 3 hours ahead of Papua New Guinea (PNGT/Port Moresby) during daylight saving time (roughly September to April)

In February, Port Moresby experiences hot, humid, and rainy weather, as it is one of the wettest months of the year. 

Temperature Averages
Daily High: Approximately 31°C to 32°C (87°F - 89°F).
Daily Low (Night): Around 23°C to 24°C (74°F - 75°F).

Going to be a big test for South Island Utd in particular imo. A good south melbourne side and then the two teams most accustomed to the conditions. Quite a few players in the side havent travelled overseas to the islands before too

Not sure how the pricing will work locally but would be awesome to see this decent looking stadium packed for each day and give the competition a real vibe.

AucklandPhoenix

Not sure how the pricing will work locally but would be awesome to see this decent looking stadium packed for each day and give the competition a real vibe.

Rugby League far and away the main game in PNG.

Hopefully a decent crowd when Hekari play, but wouldn't surprise if the stands are very empty for non Hekari matches. Some local school kids maybe for the midweek round.

The best atmosphere/crowds might be the hub in the Solomons. Football is the no 1 sport there.

For those who want to go all on Oceanian footy, there's two OCL qualifiers on today including one on now... with the timings well spaced you could watch 4 oceanian games in a row!

Vanuatu United 2-2 Tahiti United

Wow, what a frantic game. Vanuatu United will definitely be a bit annoyed not to win having dominated possession and at times territory, but often restricted from creating in open play and limited to their many free kicks and corners. Their first half penalty cooly dispatched by Owen Smith (who I think was POTM for me) originated from a corner.

Enjoy watching Tahiti United play - even though they are outmatched squad wise in this comp, they are really competitive so far and led twice in this game. First half a great counterattack from a Vanuatu corner with Haewegene scoring, then a beautiful finish from Teaonui Tehau in the second half with hardly any time and space inside the box. They are technically decent and just move so well on the counterattack at times. For example, in the first half, they created much the better chances in the first 30 mins, even though Vanuatu dominated the ball and had a lot of chances.

The wings were a massive battleground - Tahiti United play with a back 3 or 5 depending on how you saw it for most of the game. Meant they had extra numbers on attack sometimes, but definitely were exposed by Vanuatus speed on the wings and this was Vanuatus best outlet apart from set pieces.

Player of the match - Owen Smith imo. Cooly dispatched the penalty, instrumental in midfield, excellent corner deliveries, definitely is a guy that deserves a shot at the pro game beyond this league. Acton and Saniel were also good for them. For Tahiti I liked Mauri Heitaa at wingback even though he got exposed a little, Haewegene played well and Teaonui Tehau though quiet scored an outstanding goal.

So Hekari are missing two of their Brazilians and Solomon Islander Leon Kofana today... not sure what's happening there

LT01

Vanuatu United 2-2 Tahiti United

Wow, what a frantic game. Vanuatu United will definitely be a bit annoyed not to win having dominated possession and at times territory, but often restricted from creating in open play and limited to their many free kicks and corners. Their first half penalty cooly dispatched by Owen Smith (who I think was POTM for me) originated from a corner.

Enjoy watching Tahiti United play - even though they are outmatched squad wise in this comp, they are really competitive so far and led twice in this game. First half a great counterattack from a Vanuatu corner with Haewegene scoring, then a beautiful finish from Teaonui Tehau in the second half with hardly any time and space inside the box. They are technically decent and just move so well on the counterattack at times. For example, in the first half, they created much the better chances in the first 30 mins, even though Vanuatu dominated the ball and had a lot of chances.

The wings were a massive battleground - Tahiti United play with a back 3 or 5 depending on how you saw it for most of the game. Meant they had extra numbers on attack sometimes, but definitely were exposed by Vanuatus speed on the wings and this was Vanuatus best outlet apart from set pieces.

Player of the match - Owen Smith imo. Cooly dispatched the penalty, instrumental in midfield, excellent corner deliveries, definitely is a guy that deserves a shot at the pro game beyond this league. Acton and Saniel were also good for them. For Tahiti I liked Mauri Heitaa at wingback even though he got exposed a little, Haewegene played well and Teaonui Tehau though quiet scored an outstanding goal.

Thanks v much. I don't have access post Eden Pk but am following it all. Keep it up mate, appreciated.

AFC II will do to keep their 100% record against the home team.
Ronan Wynne in at CB alongside Carey.
With Mourdoukoutas & Vicelich out, surprised to see the experienced Den Heijer on the pine.

We're all set for the second match of the day.✌️

Here are your confirmed line-ups as @pnghekarifc take on @fc_auckland.

Watch LIVE and FREE on FIFA+ or through your local broadcaster.#OFCProLeague pic.twitter.com/365imrMjkn

— OFC Pro League (@OFCProLeague) January 31, 2026

AFC getting a good lesson in some old fashioned Oceania rough-housing. Some heavy challenges flying in already.

Not much quality on display from either team at the moment either, although Auckland have just had a goal ruled out for offside.

AFC II dominating from what I've seen. Conditions not easy.

Hekari player shown a red with last kick of the first half, but ref sent to VAR and then changes his mind down to a yellow.

Auckland are getting in to better areas, but the final pass has been poor. Pretty average watch so far in all honesty.

I must say, I expected more from PNG than what I've seen across their 2 ½ games so far. They've been training together the longest of the eight clubs, and their national league season ran pretty much right up to December 2025. Technically, bar a couple of their players, the base skillset seems very low.

Prime Tommy Semmy (now age 31) might be been a useful addition for Hekari. 

Though I see last year he was playing down in Victoria Premier League 2 (3rd tier in Victoria NPL) for North Geelong Warriors. So his best days seem over.

Hekari no 11 is lightning quick on attack, but also loves a late challenge.

It was him who had his red card overturned late first half. He could easily get a 2nd yellow if he's not careful.

AFC II the better team, but suspect to a rapid Hekari counter.

75' gone but it feels like the ball has only been in play 15-20 minutes in this second half. 

Ref's need to get on top of things. Players dropping to the floor everytime the ball goes dead.

And Ferguson prods in after a long throw is flicked on. Auckland lead 1-0.
12 mins of added time! Just what you don't want as a player in that heat and humidity.

Though yes as YH above quite a few of the Hekari players have fallen to the ground and taken ages to get up. Cramp or whatever. Not that fit?

But yes made stop start frustrating watch. AFC II trying to play more up tempo, esp when the subs came on.

99th min, and hand ball in the box.
Tade from the spot make it 2-0.

Not a pretty watch but AFC II won't care, with the conditions. 
4 wins from 4.

Penalties aren’t hard are they?

Missed the Auckland game, was out. Seems Hekari will be pretty happy with how combative and competitive they were after the first two games went poorly for them? But major pressure on for them against Vanuatu then South Island Utd as they won't want to go winless and/or goalless in their home circuit.

AFC - rotated a bit, battled, job done, simple as that. Enough experience in this team to know that in these conditions it's often not about playing to your fullest, but just being resilient and pushing to the end and getting the job done. The fact they were fitter in the final stages even in conditions favouring the home team is a massive endorsement.

Todays matches

Happy to be proven wrong but think it will be tough going for South Island United against South Melbourne. First game in these conditions for many of the SI players, add to that the fact that South Melbourne just looked more cohesive and better on the ball in the opening games. Expect a low scoring win for them

Bula v Solomon Kings should be a belter - for me that's the best two Pacific teams in the competition, Kings have had the better start but haven't faced anyone good, Bula were unlucky not to beat Vanuatu and very competitive against Auckland.

South Island v South Melbourne. There's gotta be a crowd of 30 people there - including the ball boys and Match officials. More players than "fans"?

South Island United leading! Real mixup from the SM keeper on a long pass and Haris Zeb tucks away from the scrambles. 1-0 and SM looking a bit vulnerable

LG

South Island v South Melbourne. There's gotta be a crowd of 30 people there - including the ball boys and Match officials. More players than "fans"?

This is the reality of this league that the interest in neutral games is going to be very low. Think about it, we probably see this as a headline game but out of the neutral games, the locals are probably more interested in Solos and Vanuatu games.

Add to that that a double header is a long day, football is not very popular in PNG and it's quite a poor country and the crowds are little surprise.

LT01

South Island United leading! Real mixup from the SM keeper on a long pass and Haris Zeb tucks away from the scrambles. 1-0 and SM looking a bit vulnerable

Not impressed with the celebration afterwards. Something Football in general really needs to clamp down and cut out on. When a guy gets down on his hands and knees and does a full on prayer, Fans don't pay to see that. Spent more time doing that than scoring a nice goal.

Early goal for Haris Zeb. South Melbourne goalie with a shocker.

Ball from deep on the right from Lewis Partridge aiming for Ryan Feutz, it's seemingly too deep and should have been collected by Shalamanov-Trenkova (great name) as he gets his arms up to take it, Feutz runs under him (importantly no contact) and Zeb tucks home the spilled ball. 

Too easy.

LG

LT01

South Island United leading! Real mixup from the SM keeper on a long pass and Haris Zeb tucks away from the scrambles. 1-0 and SM looking a bit vulnerable

Not impressed with the celebration afterwards. Something Football in general really needs to clamp down and cut out on. When a guy gets down on his hands and knees and does a full on prayer, Fans don't pay to see that. Spent more time doing that than scoring a nice goal.

Didn't Haris lose a mate in the Christchurch mosque attack? Maybe that celebration was paying respect to them.

Didn’t see it, but all to their own.

Would it have been ok if he had done awesome back flips for the same period of time?

LG

LT01

South Island United leading! Real mixup from the SM keeper on a long pass and Haris Zeb tucks away from the scrambles. 1-0 and SM looking a bit vulnerable

Not impressed with the celebration afterwards. Something Football in general really needs to clamp down and cut out on. When a guy gets down on his hands and knees and does a full on prayer, Fans don't pay to see that. Spent more time doing that than scoring a nice goal.

Nah, over the weird celebrations, thumb sucking, rocking the baby, shoe polishing. Last night a guy grabbed the Paramount+ Microphone twice. It's getting out of control.

2-1 to SMB, penalty.

LG

LT01

South Island United leading! Real mixup from the SM keeper on a long pass and Haris Zeb tucks away from the scrambles. 1-0 and SM looking a bit vulnerable

Not impressed with the celebration afterwards. Something Football in general really needs to clamp down and cut out on. When a guy gets down on his hands and knees and does a full on prayer, Fans don't pay to see that. Spent more time doing that than scoring a nice goal.

Oh please! It barely took any longer than a normal celebration. Let the players have some personality, it's not rugby or cricket.

Pace of Uchida has caught South Island out twice now, disappointing. That was competitive but they need a better second half showing. Just hoping they can be the team that stops this comp being an Auckland-SM two horse race

OVH missed a great opportunity. Shot wide. Then about 5 mins later a SM player did almost the same with an air shot.  SIU are level 2-2. Good finish.

Looked offside to me. But the goal stands! Will have to take another look. Yoo may have been behind the ball