Bahrain lose striker for All Whites match

Bahrain lose striker for All Whites match

Bahrain have suffered a blow ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against New Zealand with Ala'a Hubail, one of their leading strikers, out of action for six months with injury.

Bahrain travel to New Zealand early next month to play the All Whites in Wellington on November 14 with a place in the World Cup finals in South Africa next year awaiting the winner.

Hubail won�t be part of the Bahrain touring party after tearing the cruciate ligaments in his right knee in the latest round of Bahrain club action. He now faces surgery.

The 27-year-old was playing in Al Ahli's Bahrain First Division Soccer League match against Manama, just days after coming off the bench in the 0-0 draw against New Zealand in the first leg of their Asia-Ocean qualifying series.

Hubail has been part of the Bahrain national team since 2003 and has scored 24 goals in 68 matches.

Goals will be the vital commodity in the Wellington rematch, especially for Bahrain who have the benefit of the away goal rule that doubles their value.

Bahrain coach Milan Macala told the Gulf Daily News that he was disappointed at Hubail�s injury and he would now look at his options.

"It is disappointing that we will miss Ala'a, and I hope that he recovers soon," Macala said.

"A lot of players previously suffered such an injury here in Bahrain and it is really disappointing. It's really early to discuss whether I will call a replacement for Ala'a, but we will look into this in the coming days."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/2985973/Bahrain-lose-striker-for-All-Whites-match

IBTL. Already posted in the game match thread.

righto. Thanks. Great news - increases our chances slightly more :)

...and about 3 other places when it happened 10 days ago.