HEAD TO HEAD: Played 1 - New Zealand 0, Bahrain, Draws 1.

LAST TIME: October 10, 2009 (Manama) New Zealand 0-0 Bahrain 0.

PREVIOUS WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: New Zealand 1 (1982), Bahrain 0

WALKING WOUNDED: Compared to the teams that played the first game of the series, Bahrain has been worst affected with striker Ala'a Hubail tearing cruciate ligaments soon after that game. Coming into the match New Zealand's Simon Elliott had a leg injury, Mark Paston an injured hip and Michael McGlinchy an ankle injury but coach Ricki Herbert was confident all would be considered for selection.

FORM: In the first leg it was Bahrain that created the most opportunities and coach Milan Macala is looking to build on that in Wellington. However, the absence of Hubail will reduce the options. New Zealand hasn't played subsequent to that last match while Bahrain played Togo for a 5-1 win before leaving for Sydney to begin preparation for the second leg.

WHO'S HOT: Husain Ali and Salman Isa are regarded as potentially two of the most dangerous members of the Bahrain side. In the Togo encounter Abdullah Fatai and Ismail Abdullateef scored two goals apiece. Tim Brown has been in goal-scoring touch for the Phoenix while Shane Smeltz got back on the scoreboard for the Gold Coast. At the back Ben Sigmund and Tony Lochhead have been strong at the for the Phoenix. But Leo Bertos is always a dangerous proposition given room.

WE THINK: Bahrain coach Milan Macala believes the pressure is all on New Zealand in the return match, especially after both sides had a chance to appraise styles and personnel in the first game. However, his own side is aware that it is playing for a finals place for the second tournament in succession and it lost to Trinidad and Tobago in 2006. New Zealand on the other hand does face the pressure of a nation's expectation, a nation which has responded to the challenge by producing the biggest crowd to watch a soccer game in New Zealand. The atmosphere should be electric. The visitors look to have the greater strike power, but New Zealand has the defensive application. The result may well be determined by the Bahrain approach to the game. Going into its shell could play into New Zealand's hands.

TEAMS:

New Zealand
Goalkeepers: James Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix)

Defenders: Andrew Boyens (New York Red Bulls/USA), Tony Lochhead and David Mulligan (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers/ENG), Aaron Scott (Waitakere United), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City)
Midfielders: Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos and Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Simon Elliott (San Jose Earthquakes/USA), Michael McGlinchey (Central Coast Mariners/AUS)

Forwards: Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle/ENG), Chris Killen (Celtic/SCO), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United/AUS), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion/ENG)

Bahrain (from): Sayed Jaffer, Mohammed Hubail, Jaycee John Okwunwanne, Sayed Jalal, Hussain Ahmed, Mohammed Ahmed, Fouzi Aaish, Salman Essa, Abdulla Omar, Hussain Baba, Mahmood Abdulrahman, Hussain Mohamed, Ahmed Taleb, Abdulla Fatadi, Ala’a Ahmed Hubail, Ismaeel Latif, Ali Abdulwahab, Abbas Ahmed Ali, Abdulla Al Kaabi, Hussain Salman Makki, Sayed Mohamed Adnan, Ebarahim Al Mushkhas

REFEREE: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay)

http://sportal.co.nz/football-news-display/preview-new-zealand-v-bahrain-81131

Absolutely pumped for this game, I dont think theyre showing it on TV in Australia (if they are, please tell me), so if not I'll definetly try and watch a stream. Really hope New Zealand make it!!!

Talk about the game here!

It's on Setanta, so I will be watching it if I'm home.

Not fussed who wins, as both will get slaughtered at the WC, but I'd prefer to see the Kiwis get up I guess.

I think it will be a draw with Bahrain getting through on away goals.

come on NZ

Elliott is looking very doubtful with his injury.
Paston and McGlinchey will be fine.

NZ expected to have a 3-4-3 formation.

I would love to see NZ at the World Cup. But as shooter says, they will both get murdered anyway...i guess the satisfaction of making it would be enough!! haha

I reckon the game is going to follow the same course as the Socceroos vs. Iran match in 1997 did and finish 2-2 with Bahrain scoring a late goal and i assume away goals still happens so they go through, heart break for new zealand.

i hope the kiwis get through lol, but yea theyll be murdered at the WC but getting there will be good for the game over there, and the a-league will benefit

Kiwis 2-1 Bahrain, smeltz to score the winner late on!

Cant wait for the game tonight, come on boys! Obviously we will struggle at the WC but just would still be great for the growth of the game - this week is the first time I can ever remember when football headlines have been more prominent than rugby ones!

so true.
its like the AB's have been forgotten about

Under an hour til kickoff! Cmon Kiwis! Pissed its on Setanta though

My dad got Setanta just for today so he could watch the game lol, hope the All Whites get up.

http://iraqgoals.net/ch1.html

Stream straight from Setanta.

COME ON NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!

Good work Sibs.

I damn hope NZ make it in.

It's Australia vs. Uruguay all over again

haha, i was already on iraq goals sibs

the crowd looks like the ku klux klan

Better find a stream i guess?!