Same old Bahrain...

Yeah - that rather impressive gymnastics display straight after such agonised writhing to get someone carded was certainly not a very smart move. It made the ref look more than a bit silly and just fired the crowd up even more. I wonder if the ref could have retrospectively carded him for faking - it was a pretty blatant taunt to jump up like that - at least he could have limped a bit for a few seconds like most of the divers do.

Agree with all about the Bahraini fans though - a great bunch and a credit to their country and to football. I hope we can be that classy when the boot is on the other foot.

At last, a response from Bahrain team...

Macala also defended his non-appearance at the post-match press conference suggesting he hadn't been informed although they are a normal formality in matches of this level.

Has anyone got any footage of the player celebrations after the *awarding* of the penalty?

I was too heartbroken to get the camera out.

They were diving around and stuff, and I'd really like to relive that.

Talked to a friend today about it because only a fraction of the celebrations were seen on TV - in his heart he "knew" (wanted?) the penalty was going to miss after seeing even what he did see on TV.

People I have spoken to (Bahraini fans included) have also wondered the same thing as you Bozz.

Would be very keen to review some of the fan footage of this, especially the guy sliding on his knees (was that the guy "Jesse"?), and friends who weren't at the game are also interested in seeing.

I have watched the replay several times now and I can't believe the way these guys performed when fouled or when simulating. I'm proud of our guys for not getting into that sh*t - not that I think we ever have.
My theory is that the bahraini players were told to win at 'any cost' whether it be diving/cheating/winning pens etc and that would be why they lost - to much bullsh*t, not enough football.

Sorry if any of this has been covered, can't be f'd reading through.

"Their goal was because of a mistake in timing by one of our defenders. For every game, we assign one player to mark an opponent for a corner.This time, he made a mistake and Fallon was left alone."

so what happened the first time Rory was left alone at 6 yards Milan? just not good enough TWICE, i'd say.

pretty sure he wore #6

He damns us with faint praise does he not?

the only acceptable response to a penalty is a high five to whoever won it, maybe a pat on the back, i was suprised but also very very very anxious, i could hardly watch the penalty.

99% of the Bahraini fans I met on the weekend were humble, warm, and friendly. The best of humanity.

Then there was a group in Courtenay Place walking down the street saying to everyone "We will eat you New Zealand!". Gesturing as if to pick meat off a carcass above him and putting it into his mouth, queue chewing. "Eat you like a barbeque!".

Most of the passersby just appeared bemused.

To be fair 1% of our fans were probably poorly behaved too.

Found an image claiming to be a celebration of the penalty. Could just as easily have been misfiled as Bahrain player devastated after 0-1 loss:

I didn't know kiwis were halal.

It's a game and you have to play the referee aswell.

OMG, that is too good to be true. Timing is what they call, impeccable.

Been brewing for a while, but just broke now- here's more: Salmon072009-11-19 09:12:36