South Island United coach Rob Sherman will see plenty of familiar faces on Tuesday when his team meets Bula FC in their second match of the OFC Pro League in Auckland. The matchup comes early in the tournament and carries added intrigue for Sherman, who spent the past two years coaching Fiji’s national team and worked closely with many of the players and staff now representing Bula FC.
A Reunion on the Touchline
Sherman, now leading South Island United, said he’s eager for the chance to compete against players he knows well.
“I am really looking forward to taking on many of my old players tomorrow,” Sherman said, as his side aims to respond after a 3-0 loss to Auckland FC in its opening game.
“I have a deep affinity with Fiji and the Fijian players. I know most of the lads, so this is a great opportunity to play against those familiar faces,” he added.
For U.S. sports fans, the situation is similar to a coach in Major League Soccer or the NFL facing a former team—where personal relationships and insider knowledge can add another layer to a competitive matchup.
Bula FC’s Late Slip Offers Clues
Sherman was in the stands watching Bula FC’s first match, a 2-2 draw against Vanuatu United that saw Bula FC surrender a lead in the closing minutes.
“I saw the match, but we also had our analysts provide us with a detailed report, so we have a good insight in our next opponents,” Sherman said.
That combination of firsthand scouting and detailed video analysis could be critical in a league format where teams often have limited time between games to adjust.
South Island United Looking to Rebound After Opening Loss
Lessons From a High-Intensity Debut
Despite the lopsided scoreline against Auckland FC, Sherman said the performance offered a foundation to build on.
“It was a tough game and it was our first ever match, and there were plenty of areas to improve on but also plenty of positives,” he said.
Sherman noted that the pace of play was higher than what some players may have previously experienced.
“Even though we lost our first match, we competed well for large sections of the match, and I hope the players will take some confidence from the first match,” he said.
Tight Schedule Leaves Little Time to Reset
With the OFC Pro League moving quickly, Sherman emphasized that the team doesn’t have the luxury of dwelling on the opening defeat.
The rapid turnaround, he said, has shifted the focus toward recovery, preparation, and earning points against Bula FC as soon as possible.
Injury Update: Josh Rogerson Likely Out for Several Matches
South Island United will likely be without central defender Josh Rogerson, who left the first match after suffering a head wound. He was later diagnosed with a concussion and is expected to miss the next four matches.
Sherman said the compressed schedule will require careful player management, including recovery and rotation. Aside from Rogerson, the rest of the squad is available for selection.
Match Details: Bula FC vs South Island United
Kickoff: Tuesday, 3 p.m.
Venue: QBE Stadium, Auckland
What to Watch
Tuesday’s match will test South Island United’s ability to respond under pressure, while also offering Sherman a unique challenge against a team filled with players he once coached. With points already at a premium early in the OFC Pro League campaign, both sides will be looking to turn performance into results.
Conclusion
South Island United enters Tuesday’s game seeking a quick turnaround after a difficult debut, while Bula FC arrives with momentum tempered by a late-game collapse in its opener. For Rob Sherman, the matchup is also personal—a reunion with former Fijian players now standing in the opposing lineup, in a contest that could shape the early direction of both teams’ seasons.
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