Who do you prefer to play in the playoffs?

Who do you prefer to play in the playoffs?

Bahrain

Nickname: "The Red" (Al-Ahmar)
Head Coach:Milan M�?ala
Founded in 1951
Joined FIFA in 1966
Home colours: Red
Away colours: White

FIFA ranking:70
Highest FIFA ranking 44 (Sept 2004)
Lowest FIFA ranking 139 (March 2000)
Elo Ranking: 78

Never made it to the World Cup Finals
Won FIFA's most improved team in 2004
Finished 4th in the 2004 Asian Cup after losing to Japan 4-3 in semi finals and then lost to Iran in the 3rd place match.

In the last WCQ for the 2006, Bahrain and Uzebekistan both third in thier groups and in a two-legged playoff won on away goals rule in a aggregate score of 1-1. They played a playoff with the CONCACAF 4th nation Trinidad and Tobago. they lost 0-1 in Manama than draw 1-1 in the Port of Spain in the away game. In the Asian Cup 2007 Bahrain were knocked out in the group stages via two losses against Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, despite a win against Korea Republic.

Saudi Arabia

Nickname: "The Green" (Al-Sogour) or "The Falcons" (Al-Akhdar)
Head Coach: Jose Peseiro

Home colours: White
Away colours: Green

FIFA ranking:56
Highest FIFA ranking 21 (Sept 2004)
Lowest FIFA ranking 81 (March 2000)
Elo Ranking: 41
Highest Elo ranking: 27 (November 1998)
Lowest Elo ranking: 112 (1970, 1972)

Considered one of Asia's most successful national teams, Saudi Arabia has won the Asian Cup three times (1984, 1988, and 1996) and qualified for the World Cup four consecutive times ever since debuting at the 1994 tournament.

No doubt about it that Saudi Arabia has been a consistently strong football nation for a long time.

However, Bahrain has getting steady and better results in the last 5 years.

If you want to compare to NZ statistically:

New Zealand

FIFA ranking     82
Highest FIFA ranking     47 (August 2002)
Lowest FIFA ranking     156 (September 2007)
Elo ranking     74
Highest Elo ranking     39 (June 1983)
Lowest Elo ranking     95 (September 1997, February 1998)

Definitely North Korea.

Poor Saudis (well, not literally). No love for them.

Yeah, the problems of being in the OFC and losing in that Oceania nation cup game to Vanuatu in 2005 as well as having no matches for a few years. But it's the Elo ranking that is a much better measure of the football strength.AllWhitebelievr2009-06-26 21:26:38

What do the electric light orchestra have to do with it?

Man, you are old . . . . they sound better than Sepp

I voted Saudi

I'd go Saudi. Seen some highlights of Bahrain, very much a team on the up. Saudis look to have less flair and would make a better trip.