BULA FC head coach Stephane Auvray has praised his youthful side after a spirited 2-4 playoff defeat against South Melbourne FC at Eden Park on Tuesday.
Auvray says the performance was more important than the result as the club continues building for the future.
“It was good, obviously, back and forth. They scored four, we scored two, but we had four teenagers, two 20-year-old, and one 21-year-old. The performance was very good, especially for a playoff game,” Auvary said.
While Bula FC fell short on the scoreboard, Auvary insisted the attacking mindset and intensity of the match made it a valuable learning experience for his squad.
“At half-time I told them we’re going for whoever scores the most goals — don’t hold back,” he said
The coach believes his young players gained crucial exposure under pressure, highlighting the growth of individuals such as Ibraheem Afazal and Ryan Naresh who made a strong impact for the club.
“I’m very happy with Ibrahim and Ryan. The future is bright,” Auvray said.
Auvray also reflected on missed opportunities in front of goal, suggesting the match could have gone either way.
“Maybe one more for us, maybe one less for them and it’s a draw,” he said. “We had chances early on. We could have scored more, but that’s football.”
For Ibrahim, the night was a milestone moment — scoring his first professional goal and gaining valuable experience in a high-pressure match.
“It was a good experience. As a young boy you dream of playing in big games and scoring your first goal. It builds confidence in every match,” he said.
The midfielder added that training under an experienced coach and playing alongside senior figures has accelerated his development.
“I learn a lot in this environment,” he said.
