ALL WHITES V BAHRAIN - Official 1st Leg T

Haven't looked at the Bahrain squad - just what's been in the newspapers (a lot in the DomPost which is good).

But it does look like we will be up against it in terms of ranking, climate and the Bahrainis feeling like it is their time. Don't know how that will translate to their on field performance but for the AWs maybe the passion factor will need to be a big feature to come away with a draw.

With Smithy in terms of schoolgirl giggling - that would be an appropriate response for an unlikely away win.

Elliott at RB would be a big mistake. Killen might also be recognised aswell and American fans might recognise some of our US players.

We have?

Hungary, Wales, (and a Italy reserves)

When did we play Hungary?

But generally speaking, European sides don't take friendlies seriously, so those results are largely irrelevant for me. I'd rate Bahrain at the same kind of level as South Africa, and that didn't go well for us. But we have some new guys in now, hopefully they make some difference.

I thought it was on Ricki's first (and only) Euro tour as A/W's manager

That was Estonia (1-1) and Georgia (3-1), wasn't it?

you are right El grap, the Hungary result was wishful thinking on my part  -  tea was tasty though

We are definately up against it and heavy underdogs - make no mistake. No one should underate Bahrain. The only thing that holds them back is inconsistancy so lets hope they have an off day!

Just cannot wait for this, that away goal is so important.

I reckon a 3 nil loss would be the worst possible loss that we could come back from. 3-0 i reckon we would take it to pens at best.
clark007e2009-10-06 21:21:21

If we lose 3-0 on Sunday, it's all over.

We really, really need an away goal here.

I wouldn't have thought a 1-0 loss was the end of the world, any loss by 1 I would take.

Not the end of the world, but would mean we'd have to make sure not to concede here.

I would prefer not have to worry about that too much by getting at least 1 over there.

i could deal with a 1-0 loss, keeps us in it

The more I think about this (and it seems to be basically all the time at the moment) I really feel the first 20 minutes are crucial.  If we can start well, be nice and solid at the back and not give Bahrain a sniff, confidence will build from there.

That's a very good point.

Why is that?

Im expecting a 6-0 thrashing ala Spain stlye if the AW's go to sleep at the start.

paulm2009-10-06 22:08:20

Love the optimism.

reading about their use of the 'Dart fish' progamme (whatever that is)

I think we can walk in quite optimistic. Seriously. If we maintain Ricki's defensive results for the phoenix of late then we can rattle them. Hold them off all game and they will get frustrated. The crowd will work against them. Then we can swoop and nick a goal or three.
Or get one early and then maintain our dominance. Our defence can most certainly hold out their attack, they may have a bit more speed than us,  but Nelsen led defence should be ok.

Just gotta close down those early shots from far out, because they have this big guy who is really good in the middle of the park

Good luck guys... hope you can pull it off...

Team to play Bahrain should be:

                   Brown              Elliott

Bertos                    Smeltz                  McGlichey

                                Fallon

Oz TAB has AW's at $5.45 for the win in Manama. I put a lazy $200 on us. Go hard!

Hi my friends
became known as the national team does not play well in front of his fans, and achieve positive results away from home, and the negative results among the fans, it was in the past, now we believe that the team plays well among the fans, and plays very nicely away, so  We consider the first game for granted, while the second match will be the decisive match.
We have a midfielder (who was suspended) Mohammed  Salmeen, and we have top scorer in asia 2004 Alaa Hubail Asia, and we have Abdulrahman Ringo fierce hitting, and they are the winning coach of Bahrain, who said yesterday that there is a surprise waiting for New Zealand.
In the local press there is great respect for the New Zealand team, and all the media to warn our players of over-confidence and not repeat the tragedy of Trinidad and Tobagua in the playoffs the past.
Community forums in the majority outweigh the outcome of the Bahraini team wins at least 2 goals.
We are surprised of the preparations being undertaken by the New Zealand team, which delayed their arrival to Dubai until this today! , As well as the camp will be in the Jebel Ali Industrial!! , And more surprised that the date of their arrival in Bahrain will be before the game just 24 hours!!
I also read an article in this forum that the attendance of the fans will not exceed 20 thousand, and this is not true, attendees will have the maximum capacity National Stadium with a capacity of 35 thousand, and many will not be able to enter the stadium for lack of space vacant.
Big greetings to all my friends in New Zealand

Friends up until the game of course ;P

I am annoyed the first leg will not be on TV in Australia. Will be at the second leg live though.

I'm tempted to bet money on Bahrain to ease the pain somewhat if we lose... in saying that it would take a lot of money to even come close to helping!

It's pretty stupid the NZ TAB doesn't have odds on the match yet.

How exciting/nerve racking is this!!!

Interesting that 70 percent of Bahrainis do not believe they will reach the World Cup.

I am already about 10 times more exited/ f**king nervous than i have ever been for any Phoenix game, and there is still 4 days to go.

It only really dawned on me today, that if we are to lose, then there will be no competitive football games for a good couple years at least. Which is disheartening. But no point worrying about that till after.

Big Crowd at the Four Kings Sunday morning. Convince TV1 to send down a camera, as they do for NRL finals and that.

The thought of losing is quite frightening.

Hoping that with heat likely yo be a factor we use the bench at the right time and well..more likely to be  to to consolidate than grab a win but with the potential for 2 fresh strikers anything can happen.....