SYDNEY STRIKER Chris Payne joined a hall of shame alongside Diego Maradona, Thierry Henry and Trevor Chappell with a hand-ball goal that derailed Wellington Phoenix's A-League season in spectacular and controversial fashion in Sydney last night.
Sydney was superior to the outclassed Phoenix in every facet of last night's 4-2 preliminary final thumping at the Sydney Football Stadium, but the match was overshadowed by Payne's hand-ball goal, which replicated more high-profile deceits carried out by Maradona and Henry. And in trans-Tasman rivalry, his cheating ways will sit alongside Chappell's underarm delivery in a one-day cricket match.
With the score level at 1-1 after the Phoenix had dragged themselves back into the match through inspirational skipper Andrew Durante, Payne lunged forward with his head to meet a Karol Kisel free kick, but he missed with his head and blatantly put 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 62nd and 70th minutes, to seal a comfortable win.
A late response from substitute Eugene Dadi narrowed the gap, but couldn't change the result and Sydney will meet Melbourne in next weekend's grand final.
Phoenix striker Chris Greenacre said the hand-ball was heart-breaking.
"It just rips your heart out," Greenacre said.
"We got back into the game with a good goal and then that just takes it away from you."
Amid the controversy, though, the Phoenix will reflect on a golden opportunity missed.
The match was all but decided in a manic first half-hour. Sydney captain John Aloisi limped off the field in the 19th 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.
Celebrations were short lived as Payne conned his way to a 2-1 lead.
Sydney wanted to stamp its authority on the match from the opening whistle and 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 preventedBrosque 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, knocking a lovely ball through to the young striker, who exposed the Phoenix's left-side defence, bumped off left-back Tony Lochhead and slotted the ball under Reddy.
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.
Durante gave them a lifeline from a free kick in the 28th 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, unmarked and on a well-timed run, at the far post.
The second half was one-way traffic. Only Reddy's brilliant athleticism in goal saved his team from a more embarrassing scoreline.
The Phoenix can justifiably complain about the goal that ended their season, but they can have no complaints about the result.
And Payne would do well not to holiday in Wellington. Ever.
Phoenix goalkeeper Liam Reddy pleads with the referee to disallow the goal as Payne celebrates with team-mates.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/sport/3446306/Phoenixs-hand-ball-Payne
