by osamahlawy Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:15 pm
Bahrian Look To Become Smallest Country To Qualify
October 8, 2009
Four years ago Bahrain came agonizingly close to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup and missed out on making the trip to Germany in the harshest of circumstances in the play-offs against Trinidad & Tobago.
Back in 2005, Bahrain went into the play-offs with their confidence high, and after a 1-1 draw in Port of Spain, they seemed to have had a World Cup spot almost sewn-up.
But it was not to be as they eventually lost the return match, conceding a goal late in the game and losing 2-1 on aggregate.
On October 10 the chance to become the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup presents itself once more to the tiny Gulf Island nation, as they host New Zealand in the capital Manama for the first of two matches in an Asia/Oceania World Cup play-off. The second leg will be played in New Zealand in November.
Bahrain surprised even themselves by overcoming Saudi Arabia in a two-legged Asian Qualifying play-off game in September to set up a date with New Zealand. After a goalless draw at home, Bahrain trailed Saudi Arabia 2-1 in Riyadh, but scored an equaliser three minutes into second half stoppage time to knock out the more fancied Saudis.
A lot of the credit of Bahrain’s recent success must go to Czech coach Milan Macala, who has got his team to show up a number of Asia’s bigger names in recent time. He has also been fortunate enough to have a competent goal-scorer in the form of the Nigerian born Jaycee Okwunwanne, who plays his club football in Belgium.
Jaycee equalised for Bahrain against the Saudi’s when they were trailing 1-0 during the play-off game, a demonstration of the Big Match Temperament the 23-year-old striker possesses.
Ismail Latif, the scorer of Bahrain’s second goal late in the game against the Saudis, shot to instant fame on the tiny island with those antics, and will be hoping to repeat his heroics against New Zealand.
New Zealand, who were eagerly watching the outcome of the Asian play-offs as they awaited their opponents for this final round of qualifying games, will fancy their chances now that they will be facing Bahraint.
The ‘All Whites’ will be looking to end a 28-year absence from the World Cup by qualifying for the 2010 tournament, as their only other visit to the global show-piece was back at the 1982 tournament in Spain. Coach Ricki Herbert will be happy to have his captain Ryan Nelsen, who missed this past June’s FIFA Confederations Cup through injury, available for selection. Nelsen has been a regular for his English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers since the start of the season.
In addition, Herbert will also be able to count on his experienced front pairing which is made up of Glasgow Celtic striker Chris Killen and West Bromwich Albion front man Chris Wood, both players will be eager to find an important away goal on Saturday.
New Zealand’s preparations for this match saw them play Jordan in a friendly match in Amman recently; Herbert will have been pleased by the fact that his team won 3-1 away from home. Amongst New Zealand’s star performers from their Confederations Cup campaign was goalkeeper Glenn Moss. With that FIFA Confederations Cup experience to draw on New Zealand could have the edge over Bahrain, but as the Saudis will attest to, do not write off the Bahrainis.
