South Melbourne FC Dramatic Win Over Tahiti United in the OFC Pro League

In a gripping encounter at Eden Park in Auckland, South Melbourne FC secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Tahiti United, marking a successful debut in the inaugural OFC Pro League. The South Melbourne Tahiti win came courtesy of a stunning 98th-minute free-kick by Andrew Mesourouni, overturning a halftime deficit.

This result positions South Melbourne strongly in the competition, which features teams from across Oceania and provides a pathway to global tournaments like the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

The match began with Tahiti United taking the lead in the 36th minute through Manuarii Shan's curled free-kick. However, South Melbourne dominated the second half. Yuki Uchida equalized just two minutes after the restart with a composed finish. Despite multiple injuries leading to extended stoppage time, the team persisted. In the 98th minute, substitute Andrew Mesourouni delivered a highlight-reel free-kick over the wall to clinch the win.

South Melbourne Tahiti win Key Performances and Statements

Captain Marko Jankovic led the side effectively, while coach Siniša Cohadzić's tactical adjustments proved crucial. Football director Peter Kokotis, recently appointed for the 2025 season, highlighted the team's resilience in post-match analysis. Club president Bill Papastergiadis stated:

A deserved win, with a highlight-reel goal by Andrico in extra time. The OFC is no doubt an intense competition that will test all teams. We are excited about our next match on Tuesday. Equally, it was exciting to play at Eden Park, New Zealand's premier stadium and the All-Blacks' usual home. Hellas is ready to meet all challenges in an elite competition for all Oceania nations. Competing at an international level is what we want at Hellas, and this Cup delivers the opportunity for us to compete with other teams that essentially represent their respective countries

This victory underscores South Melbourne's ambition in the OFC Pro League, where they compete as an invited Australian club. With upcoming fixtures, the team aims to build on this momentum.

South Melbourne

South Melbourne FC, commonly known as South Melbourne Hellas or simply SMFC, is a professional Australian soccer club based in Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria.

History and Founding

Founded in 1959 as South Melbourne Hellas through the merger of three clubs (South Melbourne United, Yarra Park Aias, and Hellenic), the club has strong roots in the Greek-Australian community. It quickly rose to prominence, winning multiple Victorian state titles in the 1960s and 1970s.

Achievements

The club is one of Australia's most successful, with four National Soccer League (NSL) championships (1984, 1990–91, 1997–98, 1998–99) and recognition as the Oceania Club of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics. In December 2025, South Melbourne won the inaugural Australian Championship, a national second-tier competition.

Current Status

As of 2026, the senior men's team competes in the National Premier Leagues Victoria (NPL Victoria), the second tier of Australian soccer, while also participating as Australia's representative in the new OFC Pro League (Oceania Football Confederation Professional League), which kicked off in January 2026. The club plays home matches at Lakeside Stadium.