Durante breaks his drought, but it's all in vain

Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC A-League Preliminary Final

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ANTHONY JOHNSON/Sun-Herald Zoom

NO WAY: Phoenix goalkeeper Liam Reddy (right) protests for hand ball as Sydney FC players celebrate Chris Payne's second goal of the A-League playoff match in Sydney.

ANTHONY JOHNSON/Sun-Herald

LONG TIME COMING: Phoenix players congratulate captain Andrew Durante for his first goal in 85 A-Leauge matches during Saturday night's preliminary final.

Phoenix handed controversial loss

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Phoenix captain Andrew Durante experienced ecstasy and agony like never before, all in the space of an astonishing four minutes of Saturday's 4-2 preliminary final loss to Sydney FC.

The defensive leader picked the perfect time to score his first A-League goal, popping up at the back post to pounce on a Vince Lia flick-on from a Leo Bertos free kick and bury his first goal in 86 matches.

"About time he scored," Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert joked.

Durante added: "There's been a lot of media about my first goal. It was great to get it, but I wish it was a goal that meant something. It wasn't to be. I'll take it, but I'd rather not score and win the game."

The goal got the Phoenix back in the hunt but just four minutes later Durante, the Phoenix's player of the season, watched in utter disbelief as Chris Payne, the man he was challenging in the box, missed a header and used his out-stretched arm to score.

A furious Durante's protests were loud and demonstrative, but the officials were having none of it.

"I was on a real high after scoring the goal and then they go up the other end and pinch one back. It was pretty tough to take," he said, adding he felt the decision had cost them the match.

"We tried to rally the boys at halftime but we were always chasing the game. We tried to keep a high line but they caught us out a couple of times. If we go in at 1-1, we don't need to do that.

"To cop one under those circumstances, it's hard... It was a big factor in how the game panned out."

THE KEY MOMENTS

19th minute: Sydney captain John Aloisi hobbles off with a hamstring strain. Is this the break the Phoenix are looking for after being dominated in the early exchanges?

21st minute: The answer is no. His replacement, Chris Payne, exposes the Phoenix's left-side defence with his first involvement in the game, bumps off Tony Lochhead like he isn't there, and slots the ball under Liam Reddy for the crucial early goal.

26th minute: Against the run of play Andrew Durante gets one back for the Phoenix, nailing a back-post header. It's 1-1 and despite struggling early, the Phoenix are back in the game.

30th minute: But not for long. Payne strikes a defining blow, with his arm. Ball comes in from a free kick, he misses it with his head but his out-stretched arm blatantly puts the ball in the net. The Phoenix are livid but the officials award the goal.

59th minute: Ricki Herbert must chase the game now so he subs off defender Troy Hearfield and brings on attacker Daniel in the first of his substitutions. It's Sydney or the bush.

62nd minute: Sydney expose the thin defensive line almost immediately as Brosque breaks free and beats Reddy from an acute angle with a wonderful solo effort.

70th minute: It's game over as the classy Brosque and Bridge run amok, Bridge tapping in the easiest of goals.

81st minute: Eugene Dadi gets a consolation goal for the Phoenix but it's too little, too late.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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