BULA FC coach Stephane Auvray says missed scoring opportunities proved costly in their heartbreaking 2-1 semifinal playoff defeat to Vanuatu FC after 120 minutes.
Bula FC had taken an early 1-0 lead and looked set for victory until Vanuatu FC struck a dramatic equalizer in the 97th minute to force extra time.
The team lost 2-1 to a 10-men Vanuatu FC, who were labeled as odds to win the match against Auvray’s side.
Despite the disappointment, Auvray said he remained proud of his players’ effort and commitment throughout the match.
“We had clear scoring chances to close the game, but we missed our chances,” Auvray said.
“Defensively we worked very hard, it’s human nature but you need to be rewarded, we need players up top to score goals because you end up giving something and that is what we lacked all season, offensive players need to finish their chances and that will relieve the team, if we had this tonight the result would have been different.”
“We have had scoring problems throughout the season, we talked about it.
“Vanuatu used their chances to win the game.”
The Round 6 of OFC Pro League has been devastating for Bula FC, as they lost all three matches in the Leaders Group and met its demise against Vanuatu FC in the semifinal playoff game.
Bula took the lead in the 18th minute when Kaile Auvray flighted a corner that was partially cleared to the edge of the box where, lurking with intent, midfielder Josaia Sela met the ball on the half-volley, sending it whistling past ‘keeper Matthew Acton and into the net.
The Fijians had the ball in the net for a second time just past the half-hour, but Thomas Dunn saw his fine finish from an Auvray pass chalked off for the narrowest of offsides.
The team had opportunities to score goals to win the game on a number of occasions but they were off targets.
Roy Krishna missed a few good sitters in both the halves, as did Maika Dau, who was put in clear to give the a go ahead goal but he shot it wide.
The extra half-hour failed to produce any meaningful goalmouth action until the final seconds of the contest.
And it was the depleted team who supplied it.
Azariah Soromon shaped to send a ball into the penalty area, where it was met by a flick of King’s head, finding its way past a diving Desprez to send Vanuatu’s support into raptures and their team into the last four.
