Phoenix A-League dreams comes to an end

ANTHONY JOHNSON/Sun Herald

GOAL COUNTS: Sydney FC's Chris Payne celebrates his second goal with team-mate while Phoenix goalkeeper Liam Reddy protests to officials for a hand-ball foul.

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.

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The roller-coaster ride that has been Wellington Phoenix's A-League season is over, derailed in spectacular and controversial fashion by a rampant Sydney FC on the final bend.

Sydney were superior to the Phoenix in every facet of last night's 4-2 preliminary final thumping at the Sydney Football Stadium, but the match was overshadowed by Australian sport's new Trevor Chappell - Sydney striker Chris Payne.

His 'Hand of Payne' goal will go down in New Zealand football folklore.

With the score level at 1-1 after the Phoenix had dragged themselves back into the match through inspirational skipper Andrew Durante, Payne scored a goal using his arm, lunging forward with his head to meet a Karol Kisel free kick but blatantly putting the ball into the back of the net with his arm.

Referee Peter Green allowed the goal despite the furious protestation of Durante, who rushed to the assistant referee to plead his case in utter disbelief at what had happened.

The goal altered the course of the match as the Phoenix were forced to push players forward to chase the game, and they were punished to the fullest extent.

Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge ran roughshod in the second half and each bagged goals, in the 62^nd and 70^th minutes, to seal a comfortable win. Eugene Dadi scored a late consolation goal for the visitors but the match had all but been decided in a manic first half hour.

Sydney captain John Aloisi limped off the field in the 19^th minute and substitute Payne, with his first touch of the match, scored two minutes later.

Durante then stunned the home crowd and sent the 500 travelling Phoenix fans into raptures seven minutes later with his first goal in four A-League seasons and 86 matches.

But the celebrations were short lived as Payne scored two minutes later.

Amid the controversy, though, the Phoenix will reflect on a golden opportunity missed to reach next Saturday's grand final, which will be played between Melbourne and Sydney at Etihad Stadium.

Sydney wanted to stamp their authority on the match from the opening whistle and they did. It was ultimately the poor start - along with the illegal goal and an inability to keep possession long enough to pressure Sydney - which cost the Phoenix.

And if they hadn't already had nightmares about Sydney playmaker Brosque this season, they surely will now after he created havoc throughout the 90 minutes.

Only goalkeeper Liam Reddy's superb reactions prevented Brosque from scoring early as Sydney threatened on the counter and the Phoenix struggled to keep possession.

Brosque was the architect for Payne's first goal in the 21^st minute, knocking a lovely ball through to the young striker, who exposed the Phoenix's left-side defence, bumped off left back Tony Lochhead like he wasn't there, and slotted the ball under Reddy.

Chris Greenacre worked hard up front but the Phoenix could not force enough pressure on Sydney to get Paul Ifill into the match, the star import having little effect.

But Durante gave them a lifeline in the 28^th minute. The Phoenix were awarded a free kick against the run of play and Leo Bertos' free kick was flicked on by Vince Lia at the near post, finding Durante at the far post.

The skipper made no mistake with his close-range header, scoring one of the most popular goals of the season.

The euphoria did not last long, however, with Payne's controversial goal sending Sydney back into a lead they would not surrender for a second time.

The second half was one-way traffic. Only Reddy's brilliant athleticism in goal saved his team from a potentially embarrassing score-line.

The Phoenix can justifiable complain about the goal that ended their season, but they can have no complaints about the result.

Still, Payne would do well not to holiday in Wellington anytime soon.

- © Fairfax NZ News