South Melbourne storm into OFC Pro League final with 4-0 semi-final win

South Melbourne FC person booked their spot successful the inaugural OFC Pro League last with a commanding 4-0 victory implicit Vanuatu United FC astatine Go Media Stadium, continuing their strong debut run successful the competition.

Three first-half goals laid the instauration for the win, arsenic Hellas produced 1 of their astir polished performances of the play to assertion a 5th consecutive Pro League victory and determination within 1 lucifer of silverware.

Having rotated heavy for their last Leaders Group fixture 8 days earlier, South Melbourne manager Sinisa Cohadzic recalled his elder halfway for the semi-final, making six changes to the starting XI. The reshuffle paid contiguous dividends arsenic South Melbourne asserted power from the opening whistle.

Vanuatu United FC, coached by Lars Hopp, were forced into two changes aft a gruelling week that included their melodramatic semi-final playoff win implicit Bula FC conscionable three days prior. Injuries to centre-back Jason Thomas and a suspension to Raymond Diho disrupted their antiaircraft structure against relentless absorption pressure.

In agleam Auckland sunshine, and with a vocal travelling fanbase down them, Vanuatu United’s hopes concisely flickered wrong the opening infinitesimal when Jordan Swibel forced goalkeeper Matthew Acton into an aboriginal save. But that infinitesimal rapidly proved to beryllium a warning of what was to come.

Hellas fans watch on. Photo: OFC Media via Phototek

Swibel broke the deadlock successful the 17th infinitesimal with a clever near-post backheel decorativeness from a debased transverse delivered by Yuki Uchida, mounting the tone for South Melbourne’s attacking dominance.

The guardant was again cardinal to the enactment successful the 32nd minute, when helium turned a country transportation towards goal. A strong prevention from Acton wasn’t capable to support it out, with the shot deflecting successful for an ain extremity that doubled South Melbourne’s advantage.

From there, the lucifer tilted decisively successful favour of the Australian side, who controlled possession and tempo with composure, while Vanuatu United struggled to make wide chances against a disciplined antiaircraft unit.

The effect sets up a blockbuster last astatine Eden Park connected Sunday afternoon, where South Melbourne will look either Auckland FC oregon South Island United.

With momentum firmly connected their side, South Melbourne present stand 1 lucifer distant from lifting the inaugural OFC Pro League trophy and adding different section to their already decorated history.