Krishna Misses Open Goal as More Points Dropped

In a game largely dominated by South Melbourne FC, a lower-tier team from the Melbourne league, 38-year-old Roy Krishna missed the simplest of tap-ins in the 91st minute, meaning private club Bula FC dropped more points and now looks even further away from winning the OFC Pro-League.

South Melbourne FC finished the last season at 9th place in the NPL Victoria, which is a lower league in Australia, but managed to win the first-ever Australian second-tier competition.

Krishna, who earlier told the media that confidence was high in the camp, was left on the bench in a puzzling decision, with a big-money marquee signing and team captain omitted for one of the most crucial matches of the season.

The decision was even more surprising given that Krishna was recruited on a lucrative deal, which includes a major merchandising agreement between Bula FC and his company RK21, with Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel previously stating that Krishna is a “million-dollar player.”

Bula FC spent most of the match pinned deep in their own third as Melbourne dominated possession and territory.

South Melbourne struck early in the contest, with Andrew Mesourouni finding the net in the 12th minute to put the Melbourners ahead.

Both Singh and Lampard missed easy tap-ins for Melbourne, highlighting their need to sharpen their finishing.

Christopher Wasasala later gave Bula FC a lifeline, pouncing on a defensive error to score past a scrambling goalkeeper.

The teams were locked 1–1 at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Melbourne dominating play and possession while missing numerous chances.

Bula FC, meanwhile, resorted mostly to hopeful long balls, some of which put their players through on goal, but they were unable to convert.

Krishna was handed the perfect opportunity in the 91st minute after Gillion picked up a loose ball and squared it to the 38-year-old, who skied the effort over the bar.

Krishna endured an atrocious final season with Malappuram FC in the Kerala League, managing just seven shots on goal across 10 matches and scoring only twice, both from the penalty spot.

The Indian league then collapsed, and foreign players were told to find other opportunities, according to the Indian Times.

We have sent questions to the OFC asking them why they have labelled this a Pro-League when lower-tier teams have been chosen to participate.