Extra Bula FC head coach Stephen Auvray experienced a blend of pride and pragmatism following a 2-2 draw with Vanuatu United FC in the inaugural OFC Pro League match at Auckland’s Eden Park. The clash marked a significant milestone for the team, as many players participated in their first official 90-minute match.
Throughout the game, Bula FC showcased their ability to control the tempo, exhibiting a level of technical skill that indicated a strong foundation despite lacking pre-season friendly matches. Auvray noted that his team managed the game well for the majority of the match. “I believe that until our players started tiring, we had good control of the game. Then it became a situation of emergency in the last 10 minutes, and those things happen,” he explained during the post-match press conference.
Despite the emotional challenge of conceding a late equalizer that passed through goalkeeper Didier Desprez, Auvray defended his player, asserting that the result should not overshadow Desprez’s overall performance. “Our goalkeeper was unfortunate in that last play considering the game he had, and we are not going to blame him for the result,” Auvray stated.
Although the match ended in a draw, Auvray emphasized that the team’s internal metrics for success were achieved, particularly in terms of structural integrity. “What matters most was the content of our performance. I think we can be very happy with how we played, especially considering it was our first game,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Extra Bula FC is set to compete against New Zealand’s South Island United in their next match scheduled for Tuesday in Papua New Guinea, which presents another opportunity for growth and development for the young squad.
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