Home: Melbourne, Australia
Coach: Sinisha Cohadzic
South Melbourne FC will make history as the only non-OFC member club to compete in the OFC Pro League.
Whilst Football Australia is now a member of the Asia Football Confederation, the country maintains a strong relationship with its Pacific neighbours, with football being a key element of that bond.
Despite no longer participating in OFC competitions, South Melbourne FC does boast an impressive history when it comes to success in Oceania. In 1999, during Australia’s period as a Member Association of OFC, they won the OFC Club Championship – now known as the OFC Men’s Champions League – beating Fiji’s Nadi FC in the final.
That title victory saw them represent OFC at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2000, where they faced some of the world’s best, including then UEFA Champions League winners, Manchester United.
Former Technical Director Sinisha Cohadzic returns to the club as coach, with his attack-minded philosophy sure to catch the eye of fans across the Pacific.
The club have also enjoyed plenty of domestic success, with a number of national and state titles to their name. The opportunity to add another trophy to the cabinet and become inaugural OFC Pro League champions is no doubt the primary driving force as South Melbourne FC continue to grow.