Injured Sydney FC skipper Steve Corica has no doubt Melbourne will target young Sky Blues striker Chris Payne in Saturday’s Hyundai A-League Grand Final but is confident the teenager can handle the pressure.
Used mainly as a substitute in his 13 appearances this season, Payne suddenly finds himself in line to start the title decider following John Aloisi’s season-ending hamstring injury against Wellington last weekend.
The 19-year-old replaced Aloisi in the early stages of that match and became the hero when he scored two goals in Sydney’s emphatic 4-2 win.
While Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka has yet to finalise his starting XI, Payne is the logical choice to slot in alongside Alex Brosque in attack.
It will cap a remarkable rise for the Central Coast teenager, who less than two years ago was playing NSW State League football with Manly United.
Corica revealed he has sat down with Payne this week to help prepare him for the biggest game of his life against the Victory at Etihad Stadium.
“I take it on myself to have a chat with (the young players), I’ve had a chat with Chris Payne and it’s a big game for him after scoring two goals last week,” Corica said.
“He hasn’t played too many games and he’s only a young kid but it’s a grand final and he’s obviously looking forward to it.”
“If he starts he’s going to come under close attention of the Melbourne defenders.”
“Kevin Muscat, Adrian Leijer and Roddy Vargas, they’re very good players and very solid at the back.”
“I’ve spoken to (Payne) about that so I think he’ll cope pretty well.”
It’s a belief shared by team-mate Mark Bridge.
“He might get targeted because he’s young and hasn’t played much this year but I think he’ll be up for the task,” said Bridge, who scored the winning goal for Newcastle in the 2008 decider.
“But I don’t think many players really come under the radar anymore.”
“I think everyone knows everyone else’s team.”
“We’ve played (Melbourne) five times this year and they know everything about us and we know everything about them.”
With former Socceroos Corica and Aloisi both missing the decider through injury, Sydney’s line-up is significantly lighter in terms of experience.
But Corica denies it gives Melbourne the advantage on Saturday night.
“We’ve still got five players who have won grand finals before,” the 36-year-old said.
“Obviously Melbourne have got a few more but I think what we’ve got we’ve still got quality in our team.”
“The young boys are playing well and doing well, they’ve just got to focus like it’s another game.”
“I know it’s a massive game for them but if they can just focus like it’s another game they’ll be fine.”
Saturday’s decider will also be the last game in a sky blue jersey for goalkeeper Clint Bolton before he joins new franchise Melbourne Heart next season.
And Corica believes if the grand final goes to penalties, having the veteran custodian between the posts will give Sydney the edge.
“Clint’s a very experienced keeper and he’s very good at penalties,” he said.
“He’s a big boy and I’m sure he’ll scare a few of the Victory players if they have to take a penalty.”
