Ryan Feutz scored a dramatic stoppage time header to give South Island United a crucial victory in the OFC Pro League Leaders Group and boost their chances of claiming a place in the semi-finals.
The late winner was a cruel blow to Bula FC, who had performed admirably despite being reduced to 10 men for just over half of the contest, following a red card given to Setareki Hughes.
Both sides had shown good late season form to secure their place in the top four, with a spot in the semi-finals now within touching distance.
South Island United had been hit by an injury to regular Ollie Van Rijssel in the days leading up to kick off, with confirmation coming from the club that the defender will miss the remainder of the campaign.
There was further injury woe for Rob Sherman’s side, when forward Oskar Van Hattum was forced off after just ten minutes with injury, replaced by Rovu Boyers.
The majority of the opening period was a disjointed and tepid affair, with neither side creating clear chances on goal – perhaps the small margin for error playing on minds.
Kaile Auvray looked threatening for Bula FC, with his electric pace down the left-hand channel keeping the South Island United backline in check.
Auvray’s teammate Gabiriele Matanisiga had the ball in the net midway through the half but the effort was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Steven Van Dijk. Roy Krishna went close not long after, turning smartly away from Lewis Partridge but firing his effort over the bar.
The key moment of the half arrived late. Setareki Hughes caught Boyers with a lunging tackle and was duly booked. Referee Ben Aukwai however was summoned pitch side for a VAR check and following a consultation, upgraded the yellow to a red, leaving Bula FC a man short.
Despite their numerical advantage, the New Zealand side struggled to make it count and Bula FC were arguably the better and more dangerous side for large periods of the second half.
Josaia Sela had two early chances for the Fijian side – the first a poorly hit effort that skewed wide, before a much better strike a few minutes later, whistling over Van Dijk’s crossbar from outside the area.
A goal-mouth scramble could and perhaps should have led to the opener for Stephane Auvray’s side. Scott Wara and Matanisiga both going close from only a few yards out, with the ball somehow squirming wide as South Island United scrambled clear.
Ryan Feutz went closest at the other end, with the forward latching on to a David Yoo free-kick, but he could only direct his header wide of Didier Desprez’s near post.
The powerful striker would go within inches of giving his side the lead with a little under 15 minutes left – cutting in from the left and arrowing an effort towards the top corner, only for Desprez to get a fingertip to the ball, diverting it onto the crossbar.
Adam Supyk then saved his team, clearing a Josh Rogerson header off the line from the resulting corner kick.
The contest continued to open up in the latter stages. Rogerson going close with a well-hit strike from distance, before substitute Maikah Dau forced an excellent stop from Van Dijk when fed by Krishna.
Five minutes of additional time was signalled and with just two minutes of it remaining, South Island United struck a decisive winner.
Ryan Feutz rose highest to meet an outstanding Lewis Partridge cross and plant a header past Desprez to secure a vital three points in the race for a semi-final spot.
The victory gives Rob Sherman’s side a significant advantage in the race for a semi-final spot, whilst Bula FC now have little room for error in their remaining fixtures.
