Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert equated his side's
elimination from soccer's A-League title race to Ireland's
World Cup qualifying heartache after a hand ball by Sydney FC
goalscorer Chris Payne influenced a controversial preliminary
final last night.
Chelsea beat West Ham 4-1 to retake the provisional lead in
the Premier League, while Arsenal drew level on points after
a stoppage time winner by Nicklas Bendtner earned a 2-1
victory at 10-man Hull.
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 last night.
Stu Kelly will be in
Otago United's squad for today's critical match against
Manawatu as it looks to secure a place in the New Zealand
Football Championship play-offs.
