Soccer: Sydney FC hand Phoenix a bitter blow

Chris Payne of Sydney scores the second goal during the A-League preliminary final match between Sydney FC and the Wellington Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images

The A-League soccer grand final is an all-Australian affair after Sydney FC ended Wellington Phoenix's history-making season in controversial circumstances at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight.

The minor premiers advanced to next Saturday's title decider at Melbourne Victory by deservedly ending the Phoenix's remarkable play-offs campaign with a 4-2 victory.

Their win extend their dominance over the Phoenix to four matches in 2009-10 though it was not achieved without a helping hand from the match officials.

With the match evenly poised, at least on the scoreboard, at 1-1 after 30 minutes referee Peter Green and assistant Rodney Allen infuriated the Phoenix when failing to detect Chris Payne using his arm to propel the ball past a disbelieving Liam Reddy.

The Phoenix goalkeeper remonstrated with Allen and other Phoenix appealed in vain to green as super sub Payne celebrated his second goal nine minutes after replacing injured veteran John Aloisi.

Fortunately for Sydney FC, Payne's upperarm will not join Trevor Chappell's underarm in trans-Tasman sporting infamy thanks to second half strikes by the impressive forward Alex Brosque and equally dangerous midfielder Mark Bridge.

The dominant duo put the game beyond the Phoenix's reach as the visitors noticeably tired in the second half as the exertions of their extra-time sudden-death finals triumphs over Perth and Newcastle became evident.

Brosque, full of running despite pre-match concerns over a hamstring, held off inspirational captain Andrew Durante after Bridge threaded a ball through from a break on halfway and slotted the ball past Reddy to give Sydney a two-goal buffer.

Brosque then turned provider after the offside trap was again ineffectual on halfway, strolling to the box before drawing a helpless Reddy for Bridge to sweep in the fourth.

Payne opened the scoring legitimately in 20th minute with practically his first touch when he shouldered Tony Lochhead aside inside the box before searing the ball under Reddy.

Sydney's lead was appropriate through short-lived when Durante chose the perfect time to produce the first goal of his A-League career when he buried a header past Clint Bolton from a free kick -- the Phoenix's first genuine attacking opportunity in the 26th minute.

Leo Bertos swept the ball in from the right for Vince Lia to glance on before Durante thudded home unmarked at the far post.

Durante, who has logged every minute of each of the Phoenix's 30 games this season, then wheeled away and shushed the Sydney FC supporters massed behind the goal as he marked his first goal in a four-year A-League career spanning 86 matches.

Joy then turned to despair for the skipper when Payne added an undeserved second before Sydney turned the screws.

The home side always looked the more likely to score on a lumpy pitch clearly affected by last night's Super 14 rugby match between the Waratahs and Lions.

Brosque signalled his intentions in the eighth minute when Reddy had to palm a shot wide while Bridge also tormented the defence before -- and after -- Payne's double.

In contrast Paul Ifill, the Phoenix's leading scorer, was well contained despite his roving commission.

Fellow striker Chris Greenacre had the Phoenix's first half chance when he glanced a hopeful header wide from just inside the box two minutes before Bertos swept in the perfect dead ball for Durante.

Ifill curled an attempt wide in the 42nd minute after finally being granted some space and his cross two minutes later was bound for a diving Greenacre before Simon Colosimo's timely intervention defused the danger.

Substitute Eugene Dadi fired in a consolation goal in the 81st minute to add some more respectability to the Phoenix's breakthrough season.

- NZPA