It went down 2-0 against Eastern Suburbs in Auckland, trailing 1-0 at the break after the host side dominated the first half.
Former Southern player Tristan Prattley gave Suburbs the lead in the 23rd minute. He got on to the end of a ball from Max Mata, who drilled it through the Southern defence and into the box. Prattley’s shot found its target, low, right and into the goal.
It came after a period of dominance from Suburbs, which had failed to convert earlier chances.
Southern coach Paul O’Reilly said it was not one of the side’s better performances. It struggled to get possession and he felt it was lucky to go to the break down by just one goal against a Suburbs team that played "really well".
However, it remained in the game and had chances to draw level.
O’Reilly felt the second half was better, although Southern was unable to find the goal.
Stand-in captain Stephen Last missed with a 65th-minute header which went over the bar, while Omar Guardiola shot wide after creating a chance for himself in the box.
Garbhan Coughlan also had a chance earlier.
It took Suburbs until the 94th minute to finally bury Southern, though.
After Southern pushed defender Last forward in an effort to secure an equaliser, Michael Built nabbed Suburbs’ second.
In his first game for the team — having transferred from Hamilton Wanderers — Built received a ball from Mata, who had intercepted a pass at the back.
Southern was without regular captain Conor O’Keeffe, as well as Sam Carmichael, both through suspension.
O’Reilly felt their absence, especially that of O’Keeffe, had an impact on the poor first half.
He also thought the travel may have been a factor, with the side having caught the 7am flight out of Dunedin on the day of the game. It had a connecting flight and it was more than four hours before it reached Auckland.
The duo will return to play Auckland City next week. However, Southern will be without Coughlan. The Irishman has a broken arm and is likely to miss several weeks.
National Football League
The scores
Eastern Suburbs 2
Tristan Prattley 23’, Michael Built 90’+4
Southern United 0
Halftime: 1-0 Suburbs
