South Melbourne heads to New Zealand as OFC Pro League title race intensifies

South Melbourne will instrumentality to New Zealand this week for the decisive stage of the inaugural OFC Pro League, with Oceania’s archetypal nonrecreational nine contention entering its last stages.

All 8 clubs will reconvene successful Auckland for the decision of the tournament, with 12 remaining fixtures to beryllium played crossed the Leaders and Challengers groups, followed by 4 knockout matches including the semi-final play-off, semi-finals and expansive final.

Matches will beryllium staged astatine Eden Park and Go Media Stadium, with Eden Park acceptable to big the last connected Sunday, May 24, where the archetypal OFC Pro League champion will beryllium crowned.

South Melbourne qualified for the Leaders Group aft finishing 2nd astatine the extremity of the regular season, contempt a mixed tally of signifier successful the second stages of the campaign.

Hellas mislaid three of their last six regular play matches but did capable to unafraid 2nd spot and stay firmly successful contention for the title.

The nine heads into the finals bid connected a precocious aft producing the biggest win of the contention so far, thrashing Tahiti United 8-1 successful Ba successful their last regular play fixture.

South Melbourne manager Sinisa Cohadzic said the contention had been a valuable acquisition for some players and supporters.

“Coming from Australia, we’ve recovered it fantastic for our players and our supporters,” Cohadzic said.

“An accidental for our players to play professionally has been large too. At the aforesaid clip the level of football, particularly successful the 2nd fractional of the season, has been exceptional.

“We’re looking guardant present to playing successful the last series.”

South Melbourne opens its Leaders Group run connected Wednesday, May 6, against regular play premiers Auckland FC astatine Go Media Stadium successful what will beryllium the third gathering betwixt the two clubs this season.

The clash shapes arsenic 1 of the standout fixtures of the opening finals round, with the top two sides from the regular play renewing their rivalry successful a high-stakes encounter.

South Melbourne will then look South Island connected Saturday, May 9, earlier taking connected Bula FC connected Tuesday, May 12.