Bula FC To Play In Front Of Home Fans For The First Time As OFC Pro League Touches Down In Fiji

The action begins on Sunday with Auckland FC taking on South Melbourne FC in a top-of-the-table clash, followed by Bula FC's first home match against PNG Hekari FC.

Bula FC, Auckland FC, South Melbourne FC and PNG Hekari FC, will play all three of their Round 5 matches in Ba. Whilst two re-scheduled matches from Round 3 will also take place at the end of the round.

Elsewhere, the other four OFC Pro League clubs will kick off Round 5 on Saturday at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

Bula FC

Home comforts have arrived at the perfect time for Bula FC, who land in Fiji off the back of their most successful round of the competition so far.

Bula were the only team to win both of their games during Round 4 in Honiara, over Tahiti United and South Island United.

"Round 4 was good for us," says coach Stephane Auvray. "Sometimes we haven't got the points we've deserved, so it was good for the players to realise in Honiara that hard work pays off."

They sit third on the ladder as it stands, and will be eager to maintain the momentum in front of their home fans - hosting three matches at 4R Electrical Govind Park in Ba.

"It's very special because it's the first time that Fiji's professional football club has been able to play at home. The players are excited, and I hope the fans are."

Auckland FC

League-leaders Auckland FC have opened up a four-point gap at the top of the table, but will feel the pressure again if they slip up to South Melbourne FC in their blockbuster clash on Sunday.

Auckland FC continue to progress at a steady rate, picking up four points from their two matches in Honiara, including a 1-0 victory over Solomon Kings FC.

Luke Casserly's men have recorded three consecutive clean sheets and have a stellar defensive record to maintain during their four games in Fiji - including the rescheduled North v South New Zealand derby against South Island United from Round 3, to be played at the end of their trip.

South Melbourne FC

Juggling their OFC Pro League commitments with the local NPL Victoria domestic league, South Melbourne FC continue to sit comfortably inside the top two.

They did lose some momentum in Honiara during Round 4 though, failing to win either of their two matches.

The former Oceania Club of the Century will be eager to get back on track against fellow frontrunners Auckland FC in their opening fixture, as they face a busy schedule of four matches in Fiji - including a rescheduled Round 3 fixture against Tahiti United.

PNG Hekari FC

Another tough round beckons for PNG Hekari FC, who remain stuck to the bottom of the table ahead of Round 5 in Fiji.

PNG Hekari will take on both of the league's top two in Ba, as well as host club Bula FC on the opening Sunday - a difficult schedule for any team.

So far, Jerry Allen's side have mustered just one win from their 11 games. They'd dearly like to add another win to their tally before the league splits and they take their place in the Challengers Group.

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