Schoolboy sensation set for first big test

He hasn?t quite put the pens and pencils away with his HSC exams still ahead of him, but young Sydney FC signing, Chris Payne faced a big test of a different kind on Saturday when the teenage sensation made his Hyundai A-League debut in Sydney?s opening round clash with arch-rival Melbourne.
Payne didn?t expect to be thrown into the mix so soon, playing alongside the likes of John Aloisi, Alex Brosque and Brendon Santalab, but with all of those strikers unavailable for Sydney?s first game of the season, the rising star plans to take his opportunity.
?I?ve just got to go out there and do my best and see what happens,? said Payne before the match.  ?There?s a bit of pressure I suppose, but I?m just really looking forward to playing.?
The former Manly United forward impressed during a number of guest appearances for Sydney during its pre-season campaign, but he knows making an impression in the A-League will be a different story all together.
?It?s a dream come true to be part of the Sydney side,? he said.  ?The A-League is getting stronger every season and I?m just excited to be a part of it.?
Sydney Coach, John Kosmina was impressed by his young charge?s A-League debut and believes he will only get better.
?You can only understand so much about how intense an A-League match is,? Kosmina explained. ?The only way you find out how tough it can be is to actually play games, and I think Payney actually learned as he went along.?
Payne?s focus will now temporarily return to his studies while he completes his Higher School Certificate; Sydney will continue its campaign against the Central Coast this Saturday.