Auckland FC have recorded a precious first win on the second match day of Leaders Group action, defeating Bula FC 2-0 at Eden Park.
Having both suffered defeats in their first opening Leaders Group matches two days earlier, both sides knew three points in this one was imperative to avoid a play-off match with the winner of the Challengers Group.
Bula FC were 2-1 victors in their previous meeting in Ba during Round 5, but Auckland flipped the script on this occasion, bouncing back to overcome the Fijian club with two first half goals.
It took just seven minutes for the home side to open the scoring, Scott Wara slipping inside the penalty box and Jonty Bidois profiting – latching onto a low cross from Everton O’Leary for his first Pro League goal.
Mistakes and errant passes were a theme of the first half for Bula, who struggled to advance out of their own end and continually found themselves under the pump from the Auckland high press, and in the following transitions.
An interception from Emiliano Tade saw Matt Ellis drive a low effort across the face of goal, before Tade himself watched a free kick delivery off the left flank ricochet off the crossbar following a flick-on inside the box.
The second goal came in the 36th minute, O’Leary turning from provider to scorer. The fullback was on hand to combine with Bidois again, smashing the ball into the top of the net from the edge of the penalty area.
Bula FC created a couple of first half chances themselves, but Oscar Mason twice stood in the way of both Thomas Dunn and Nabil Begg.
Clear-cut opportunities were a lot harder to come by in the second half, as the game lost it’s flow. Stephane Auvray made three changes for Bula on the hour mark but failed to turn the tide.
Wayward efforts from Auckland substitute Dejaun Naidoo and teammate Daniel Normann were about as close as either side came to adding to the scoreline.
Auckland FC now join South Island United and South Melbourne FC on three points in the Leaders Group, with Bula FC yet to register a point or a goal from their two fixtures in Auckland so far.
Auckland FC will face New Zealand rivals South Island United, whilst Bula FC will need points against South Melbourne during the final match day of the Leaders Group on Tuesday at the same venue.
