Extra Bula FC will face a challenging situation this weekend as defender Gabriele Matanisiga has been ruled out of the OFC Pro League Round Three match against Vanuatu United due to a back injury. The match is set to take place in Melbourne on Sunday.
Head coach Stephane Auvray confirmed the unfortunate news regarding Matanisiga while also highlighting a silver lining: three other players are on the mend and gradually returning to the squad. Auvray stated, “We have one injury; one player is out; three players are coming back from injury. It’s part of the life of a club, you know, of a season. You always have to juggle between the injuries and try to make the best out of it.”
In recognizing the harsh reality of injuries during a long campaign, Auvray remains optimistic about the opportunity for other team members to prove themselves. “It’s good for some players. It gives them a chance to show what they can do as well,” he added.
Among those returning to fitness is Ryan Naresh, who had previously shown promise before picking up an injury in New Zealand. Young midfielder Veleni Rasorewa is also making progress, while Delon Shankar is steadily recovering after being out for the last two to three months.
Despite the challenges with player injuries, Bula FC is determined to remain competitive as they gear up for this important Round Three fixture. The match against Vanuatu United is scheduled for 2 pm this Sunday and will be broadcast live on FBC 2, giving fans the chance to support their team during this crucial time.