All Whites v Bahrain – Less than 9 Hours to Go

November 13th, 2009 | by: Craig | View Comments

The big day has finally arrived. In a little under 9 hours the All Whites will take the field in what is easily the most anticipated football match ever played in New Zealand.

The All Whites have indicated that they will go into the match using the same 3-4-3 formation that they played in the first leg in Manama, allowing them to play Rory Fallon, Chris Killen and Shane Smeltz upfront in the quest for the goal that will take them to South Africa.

On the injury front, Simon Elliot is looking a doubtful starter and will most likely be replace by Central Coast Mariners midfielder Michael McGlinchey.

The Bahrain team who arrived on Thursday from Sydney are being touted as the favourites by the majority of the media. They have a small group of supporters in tow, as well as local ex-pats from the various Gulf States who would love to see the boys in red spoil the party in Courtnay Place tonight. Their task is simpler than the All Whites, they just need at least one goal and to not lose and they will be through to the World Cup. Their coach coach Milan Macala seemed relaxed at a press conference last night, and evn joked that the Kiwis should let them win – “Because you played in Spain in 1982, I hope you give us a turn this time.”

The TAB still rates the NZ side as slight favorites paying $2.40 for the win with Bahrain paying $2.70.

The mood about Wellington at the moment is one of nervous anticipation. Local Churches, Cathedrals, Mosques and Synagogues are full of the All Whites faithful trying to help the guys anyway they can.

I for one really hope the All Whites can do it tonight. Not much fun writing a New Zealand World Cup blog if we’re not at the World Cup!

Follow nz.worldcupblog.org on Facebook!