South Melbourne suffer late heartbreak in OFC Pro League clash in Fiji

South Melbourne FC’s propulsion to consolidate a top-two decorativeness successful the OFC Pro League has taken a hit, with the historical Hellas nine conceding a stoppage-time extremity to suffer 2-1 to PNG Hekari FC successful Fiji.

The decision is simply a setback for the South Melbourne broadside — widely known arsenic Hellas and profoundly rooted successful Melbourne’s Greek assemblage — arsenic they proceed their run successful the determination competition.

Playing successful sweltering conditions successful Ba, the lucifer turned dramatically successful the opening minutes. South Melbourne were reduced to ten men successful the seventh infinitesimal when Alex Menelaou was sent disconnected pursuing a VAR review, leaving Hellas facing an uphill conflict for astir the full match.

Moments later, PNG Hekari capitalised, with Lekima Gonerau scoring from agelong scope to springiness the Papua New Guinea broadside an aboriginal lead.

PNG Hekari FC’s Rex Naime and South Melboune FC’s Lucas Inglese conflict for the ball. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz

Despite being a antheral down, South Melbourne showed resilience. The broadside absorbed sustained unit passim the archetypal half, with goalkeeper Jake Charlston called into enactment arsenic Hekari dominated possession and created aggregate chances.

South Melbourne still managed to endanger connected the counter, with Ishveer Singh and Aaron Cocks some going close, but were unable to find a breakthrough earlier the break.

The Melbourne nine responded strongly successful the 2nd half. A bid of substitutions injected vigor into the side, and the equaliser came successful the 58th infinitesimal when Marco Jankovic roseate to caput location from a corner, bringing Hellas backmost into the contest.

From there, South Melbourne pushed guardant successful hunt of a winner, forcing respective saves from Hekari goalkeeper Elias Biasu. However, the numerical disadvantage began to tell arsenic the lucifer wore on.

Just arsenic it appeared the Greek Australian nine would unafraid a hard-fought point, Hekari struck successful stoppage time. Substitute Ati Kepo broke done the defence, rounded the keeper and calmly finished to seal a 2-1 victory.

The effect leaves South Melbourne connected 23 points, with 1 lucifer remaining successful Fiji against Tahiti United earlier the contention splits into its adjacent phase.

For a nine with a arrogant bequest successful Australian football, the nonaccomplishment is simply a disappointing stroke — but their run remains live arsenic they look to regroup up of the last stages of the tournament.