The OFC Pro League, the new competition created by the Oceania Football Confederation to provide more professional opportunities for players from across the Pacific, kicked off this weekend in Auckland, with a total of 26 Kiwis taking to the field at Eden Park.

All four teams competing on the opening match day featured players from Aotearoa New Zealand, starting with the day’s first clash between Fiji’s Bula FC and Vanuatu United.

The 2–2 draw featured New Zealanders in both starting line-ups, with Fergus Gillion and Adam Supyk lining up for Bula FC, and Otto Ingham and Owen Smith starting for Vanuatu United.

The second match of the day saw the first all-New Zealand clash of the competition, as Auckland FC’s Pro League side took on South Island United.

 

Both teams named a majority of Kiwi players in their starting XIs, eight for the side from Tāmaki Makaurau and all but one of South Island United’s line-up making it likely the highest number of New Zealanders ever to start together in a professional club match.

Auckland FC claimed bragging rights with a 3–0 win, courtesy of goals from Oscar Faulds, the first Kiwi to score in the competition, Bailey Ferguson, and a penalty from All Whites forward Liam Gillion.

Both New Zealand sides will be back in action on Tuesday, with Auckland FC taking on Vanuatu United and South Island United facing Bula FC.

Article added: Saturday 17 January 2026