Bula FC celebrated a landmark night at the Four R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba on Sunday as they secured their first-ever home victory in the OFC Pro League, edging PNG Hekari FC 1-0. The decisive moment came just after the hour mark when captain Roy Krishna slipped a through ball to substitute Adam Supyk, whose finish was initially ruled offside before a VAR review confirmed the goal and sent the home crowd into raptures.
The win — Bula’s maiden OFC Pro League goal on home soil as well as their first home three points in the competition — marked a long-awaited return to Ba with tangible reward for players and supporters. In front of a vocal home crowd, Bula dominated the early phases, with Nabil Begg and Kaile Auvray testing Hekari goalkeeper Dave Tomare, while Bula keeper Didier Desprez was largely untroubled at the other end.
The match looked like it might be decided by a single piece of individual quality. After a tense first half in which coach Stéphane Auvray pushed for greater attacking spark by introducing Zacariah Harang, it was Krishna who produced the moment of class. The captain carved open Hekari’s defence and threaded a precise pass through to Supyk, who composed himself to finish. Referee’s initial offside flag was overturned after a VAR review, confirming the strike and unleashing wild celebrations among the home supporters.
Krishna, who has been a focal point for the side, described the victory as more than a sporting milestone. “This game means everything, we want to play for the country and make the country proud,” he said, thanking fans who turned out in numbers. Coach Auvray acknowledged his team lacked rhythm after a long break but said the result and performance gave him reason for optimism. “Our main issue was lack of rhythm because we just had a long break, so for the next game the players will be energetic and I truly hope that we will have a better game for the fans,” he added.
Hekari had a chance to steal the lead when John Orobulu headed over from close range in a notable miss, a moment that proved costly. The visitors pushed late in search of an equaliser, but Bula’s defence held firm despite wet conditions that made the closing stages tense. The narrow victory lifts Bula’s points tally in the early rounds of the OFC Pro League and gives the team momentum as they prepare for a quick turnaround.
Bula FC face another stern test tomorrow when they host Australian side South Melbourne at Govind Park, kickoff scheduled for 7pm. The club will be looking to build on Sunday’s breakthrough and maintain the support of the home crowd as they chase further points in the regional competition.
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