THE final third was exactly what Bula FC coach Stephane Auvray had been demanding and against Southern Island United, his side finally delivered a performance worthy of praise.
Trailing 2–0 at halftime and looking disjointed, Bula FC returned as a transformed outfit in the second half and took the game to opponent.
There was urgency in their play, but more importantly, there was structure and intent.
They stretched the field, used the full width of the park, and began to create genuine scoring opportunities.
It was a response built on composure and improved coordination the kind of football Auvray has consistently pushed for and one that ultimately turned the tide in their favour.
Auvray has never shied away from addressing attacking flaws.
While he refrained from naming individuals, his frustration has often been directed at forwards who repeatedly failed to convert close-range chances.
Yet football remains a team game, and while strikers are traditionally expected to score, that hasn’t always been the case for Bula FC.
Instead, much of the attacking responsibility has fallen on midfielders such as Setareki Hughes and Thomas Dunn. Dunn, in particular, showed sharp awareness drifting into space before powering home a classic header.
Against Southern Island United, even defender Scott Wara joined the charge, producing a stunning overhead kick to seal the 3-2 victory.
Meanwhile, Roy Krishna continues to battle inconsistency in open play. However, he proved reliable from the spot, converting a penalty, a reminder that even amid struggles, he remains a valuable contributor when it matters most.
Coaches’ battle
Auvray also claimed the upper hand in the tactical battle against his South Melbourne United counterpart Rob Sherman, who served as head coach of the Bula Boys until last year before his departure under still-unclear circumstances.
While Auvray’s come-from-behind win was bolstered by the influence of import players strengthening Bula FC’s OFC Pro League campaign, Sherman was left to rely largely on local talent, a contrast that once again highlights the gap between regional success and international competitiveness.
Sherman has long maintained that while Fiji possesses raw talent, players need greater exposure to the global game to truly compete at higher levels. His departure from the national setup has only added another layer of intrigue to that ongoing debate.
Bula FC now hold a win and a draw against Southern Island United, climbing to third place on the table.
