SOUTH Melbourne suffered their first loss in the OFC Pro League, beaten 2-0 by Vanuatu United 2-0.
Starting in second place on the overall table, Melbourne immediately claimed possession with
Aaran Cocks and Yuki Uchida are combining well around the boundary of the box to try and set up golden boot Jordan Swibel.
But Michel Coulon marshalled his men with defensive instructions every time South Melbourne attacked.
At the other end of the field, Kathy Iamak and William Cardona devised moves for Vanuatu, who had prolific strikers Alex Saniel and Kaltfer Kaltack, who were lethal inside the box.
In the tit for tat match, both teams had a number of scoring opportunities but were unable to capitalize.
Then, in the 35th minute, a beautifully weighted corner kick by Cardona gave Saniel the perfect chance to head past Melbourne goalkeeper Iliya Shalamanov-Trenkova.
Once they were in the lead, Vanuatu changed their defensive strategy, making sure five players held back to help goalkeeper Matt Acton defend their goal.
In the second half, Vanuatu were quick to go on the hunt again. South Melbourne looked rattled as they scrambled in defence.
South Melbourne FC were frustrated as time wound down, and Head Coach Sinisa Cohadzic was shouting instructions from the sideline.
Tempers flared in the later stages of the game, and Melbourne were giving away too many free kicks as Vanuatu controlled the ball and slowed down the pace.
Then, a series of one-touch movements in the 78th minute by Cardona and Owen Smith inside Melbourne’s box gave Ingham the golden chance to finish it with a rocket of a shot. Vanuatu now led 2 – 0.
Melbourne tried their best to score some late goals, but each time the ball went straight into Acton’s safe hands.
In the end, Vanuatu won 2 – 0.