{"id":444437,"date":"2026-01-29T05:07:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T05:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/444437\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T05:07:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T05:07:14","slug":"ofc-pro-league-players-to-watch-in-round-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/444437\/","title":{"rendered":"OFC Pro League | Players to Watch in Round 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

A number of names made their mark on the OFC Pro League stage as the competition got underway in Auckland last week. Now as the action heads to Port Moresby, the intensity has lifted as all eight clubs jostle for early momentum.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The second round will feature 12 matches across six match days at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, with each club playing three matches.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve picked out one player from each club to watch out for across the second round of the competition, as the stakes heat up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Rex Naime of PNG Hekari FC and Jordon Lampard of South Melbourne FC during OFC Pro League 2026, PNG Hekari v South Melbourne FC, North Harbour Stadium Auckland, Friday 24 January 2026. Photo: Joshua Devenie \/ www.phototek.nz<\/p>\n

Rex Naime | PNG\u00a0Hekari\u00a0FC\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Age: 23
Position: Forward\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The pressure is on PNG\u00a0Hekari\u00a0FC\u00a0in front of their home crowd after losing both of their opening games, and Rex Naime will be\u00a0eager to rise to the occasion as professional football arrives in Papua New Guinea for the first time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Naime announced himself\u00a0during\u00a0Hekari\u00a0United\u2019s run to the OFC Men\u2019s Champions League 2025 final, finishing as the competition\u2019s second-top goalscorer with four, including a hat-trick during the group stage.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Following the suspension of Ati\u00a0Kepo\u00a0for a red card during the first round, Naime now shoulders the weight of the goal-scoring\u00a0responsibility and\u00a0will be hunting down PNG\u00a0Hekari\u00a0FC\u2019s first goal of the competition in Port Moresby.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Vanuatu United FC\u2019s Raymond Diho competes with Bula FC\u2019s Kaile Auvray (right). OFC Pro League 2026, Vanuatu United FC v Bula FC, Eden Park, Auckland, Saturday 17 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick \/ www.phototek.nz<\/p>\n

Kaile Auvray\u00a0| Bula FC\u00a0<\/p>\n

Age:\u00a022
Position:\u00a0Forward\u00a0<\/p>\n

The son of coach Stephane\u00a0Auvray, Bula FC forward Kaile Auvray\u00a0is a Trinidad & Tobago international and\u00a0recently shared the field with Lionel Messi during his time with Jamaican club Cavalier FC\u00a0in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Incredibly, he has represented\u00a0three different nations,\u00a0amassing 18 caps for Trinidad & Tobago\u00a0(including the recent FIFA World Cup 26\u2122 qualifiers),\u00a0one\u00a0cap for St Martin, and\u00a0two\u00a0caps for the USA U-17\u00a0side.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

After failing to capitalize on a red card for Auckland FC during their second match of the opening round, Auvray will be eager for an offensive response as Bula FC search for their first OFC Pro League win in Papua New Guinea. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>South Island United\u2019s Christian Gray. OFC Pro League 2026, Auckland FC v South Island United, Eden Park, Auckland, Saturday 17 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick \/ www.phototek.nz<\/p>\n

Christian Gray\u00a0| South Island United\u00a0<\/p>\n

Age: 29
Position: Defender\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Former Auckland City FC star, Christian Gray, has\u00a0quickly adjusted to life with new club South Island United, starting in both of their games as captain so far.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gray is famous for scoring against Boca Juniors at FIFA Club World Cup\u00a02025\u2122 and\u00a0has won the OFC Men\u2019s Champions League four times before.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Whilst his defensive line has shown some nerves in the competition early on, being breached four times across their two games, Gray\u00a0will be aiming to lift his teammates as they\u00a0attempt\u00a0to find a higher level in Papua New Guinea.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Auckland FC\u2019s Oscar Mason makes a save. OFC Pro League 2026, Auckland FC v South Island United, Eden Park, Auckland, Saturday 17 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick \/ www.phototek.nz<\/p>\n

Oscar Mason | Auckland FC\u00a0<\/p>\n

Age: 21
Position: Goalkeeper\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

One of only two goalkeepers to\u00a0have\u00a0maintained\u00a0a clean sheet through the opening round, 21-year-old\u00a0Oscar Mason has quickly asserted himself as Auckland FC\u2019s preferred\u00a0option\u00a0between the sticks, playing in two of their three games\u00a0so far.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mason is a former New Zealand U-20\u00a0international and\u00a0joined the club for the OFC Pro League, after winning the Northern League with Western Springs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Arriving in Papua New Guinea as early league leaders, Auckland FC already have a target on their backs. Mason\u2019s performances in goal will be crucial as\u00a0they\u00a0attempt\u00a0to maintain their 100% record across their three games\u00a0during the second round.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>William Cardona celebrates a late goal to draw the match. OFC Pro League 2026, Vanuatu United FC v Bula FC, Eden Park, Auckland, Saturday 17 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick \/ www.phototek.nz<\/p>\n

William Cardona | Vanuatu United FC\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Age: 23
Position: Midfielder\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

American midfielder William Cardona stole the headlines on opening night of the OFC Pro League, scoring a dramatic late equaliser for Vanuatu United FC in a 2-2 draw with Bula FC at Eden Park. \u00a0<\/p>\n

He followed that up with impressive performances against both Auckland FC and South Island United during the opening round and has played every minute of Vanuatu United FC\u2019s three matches in the competition so far. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Having announced himself as the heartbeat of the side in midfield, Cardona will be eager to aid Vanuatu United FC to their first win in Port Moresby.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>OFC Pro League 2026, PNG Hekari FC v Solomon Kings FC, Eden Park, Auckland, Sunday 18 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick \/ www.phototek.nz<\/p>\n

Sota Higashide | Solomon Kings FC\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Age: 28
Position: Forward\u00a0<\/p>\n

Japanese forward Sota Higashide was the star for Solomon Kings FC during the opening round, scoring the only goal in their 1-0 win over PNG\u00a0Hekari\u00a0FC.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Playing in the Pacific is a new experience for Higashide,\u00a0who has previously\u00a0spent time under coach Ben Cahn at\u00a0FC\u00a0Tiamo Hirakata\u00a0in the Japanese fourth division\u00a0and has been brought to the Solomon Islands by the Englishman.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

So far Higashide has been limited to minutes off the bench, but Cahn has spoken about him being\u00a0part of the starting side as his fitness builds up.\u00a0Whether\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0ready to take that step up for the second round in Papua New Guinea will be intriguing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Jordan Swibel of South Melbourne FC celebrates after scoring a goal during OFC Pro League 2026, PNG Hekari v South Melbourne FC, North Harbour Stadium Auckland, Friday 24 January 2026. Photo: Joshua Devenie \/ www.phototek.nz<\/p>\n

Jordan\u00a0Swibel\u00a0| South Melbourne FC\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Age: 26\u00a0
Position: Forward\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

South Melbourne\u2019s marquee OFC Pro League signing, Jordan\u00a0Swibel, opened his account for the\u00a0competition\u00a0against PNG\u00a0Hekari\u00a0FC during the opening round, scoring twice to seal a convincing 5-0 victory.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Swibel has previous experience in the Australian A-League, for both Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, and in Canada with Valour FC, making him one of the league\u2019s more accomplished marksman. \u00a0<\/p>\n

High on confidence, with South Melbourne having won both of their opening two matches, Swibel will be an early contender for the OFC Pro League\u2019s inaugural Golden Boot award should he maintain his goal scoring form.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Rafa Le\u2019ai of Solomon Kings FC and Matatia Paama of Tahiti United during OFC Pro League 2026, Solomon Islands FC v Tahiti United, North Harbour Stadium Auckland, Friday 24 January 2026. Photo: Joshua Devenie \/ www.phototek.nz<\/p>\n

Matatia\u00a0Paama\u00a0| Tahiti United\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Age: 33
Position: Defender\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tahiti United\u2019s defensive ability was a standout of the opening round of the OFC Pro League, central defender Matatia\u00a0Paama\u00a0proving integral.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Paama\u00a0helped his side keep a clean sheet against Solomon Kings FC, notably making\u00a0a last-ditch\u00a0tackle on Raphael\u00a0Lea\u2019i\u00a0in front of his own goal,\u00a0and\u00a0kept the South Melbourne FC attack frustrated for\u00a0long periods\u00a0of their 2-1 defeat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Paama is an experienced Tahitian international and has relished his first taste of professional football so far. Whether he can keep Auckland FC at bay during Tahiti United\u2019s second match in PNG will be of particular interest.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss a minute of the action in Round 2.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Click HERE<\/a> for How to Watch details.<\/p>\n

Tickets for Round 2 are available HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A number of names made their mark on the OFC Pro League stage as the competition got underway…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":444438,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[563],"tags":[64,63,596,85],"class_list":["post-444437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-football","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/444437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=444437"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/444437\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/444438"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=444437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=444437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=444437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}