EXTRA Bula FC midfielder Setareki Hughes says belief within the side helped them produce one of their biggest wins of the season after upsetting Auckland FC 2-1 in their final home game of Round 5 at 4R Electrical Govind Park in Ba on Saturday night.
Hughes said the side stayed united after their earlier loss and trusted their game plan against one of the competition favourites.
“We always believe in us as a team. We came out tonight and we wanted to get that three points and that’s what we got,” Hughes said.
The victory lifted Bula FC to 21 points on the Pro League table and confirmed their place in the Leaders Group with a top-four finish.
Auckland dominated the opening exchanges and Bula goalkeeper Didier Desprez was forced into several early saves to deny Kian Donkers and Liam Gillion while James Bayliss also had an effort cleared off the line as the visitors threatened.
Despite being under pressure, Bula struck first in the 14th minute when Scott Wara flicked on a free kick and Sterling Vasconcellos finished at the back post to give the hosts a surprise lead.
Bula doubled their advantage in the 35th minute through Fiji’s all-time leading scorer Roy Krishna, who punished Auckland on the counterattack with a superb solo effort in front of the home crowd.
Auckland reduced the deficit before halftime when veteran striker Emiliano Tade combined with Daniel Normann before finishing inside the box.
Hughes said the halftime message from coach Stephane Auvray was to remain disciplined.
“Coach told us to control the game and that’s what we did in the second half.
“Even though we didn’t have much possession, we came for a mission and that was to get the three points.”
Auckland continued to press in the second spell but Bula’s defence held firm, with Wara and Desprez repeatedly shutting down the visitors’ attacking moves on their goal.
Auvray strengthened his backline in the final 20 minutes, replacing Hughes with former Auckland defender Semi Nabenu as Bula protected their lead.
Tempers flared late in the contest when Auckland captain Tass Mourdoukoutas was sent off after an off-the-ball scuffle, adding to the visitors’ frustration.
At the final whistle, Bula players and supporters celebrated a memorable result that now sends the side into the Leaders Group full of confidence ahead of Round 6 in May.
