Vanuatu United end South Melbourne’s unbeaten start

Vanuatu United handed South Melbourne their first defeat of the OFC Pro League season with a 2-0 victory in Honiara. Goals in each half helped Vanuatu strengthen their challenge for a top-four place against one of the competition’s leading clubs.

Alex Saniel broke the deadlock in the thirty-second minute, giving Vanuatu an advantage they carried into the interval. South Melbourne searched for a response but were frustrated by a committed defensive performance and goalkeeper Matt Acton.

Otto Ingham added the second goal late in the match. South Melbourne briefly thought they had a penalty, but VAR placed the foul outside the area; Jordan Swibel’s resulting free kick and Luka Coveny’s rebound still failed to produce a goal.