New Zealand on track for the World Cup finals

As a proud Socceroo fan I hope NZ wins! Next month's match is already a sell-out so it's all there for the taking for them (last time was 1982). http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/2009/10/22/1245ce3c8017

There's a simple way around this Let just absorb New Zealand into australia. After all we take credit for any success story from NEw Zealand (Phar Lap, Neil finn etc) It may even strengthen our national team in many sports. It will also deliver the final victory in our rivalry with New Zealand.

yeah I'll back bahrain as well I saw those highlights and it was back to the walls stuff there fore NZ. THey are going to need a lot of luck and poor finishing to get through That chance where that Bahraini player round the keeper and then hit the post when there was another player there available for a tap in was unbelievable. New Zealand got out of the jail there.

And if New Zealand do knock out the only remaining Middle Eastern representative, that's right no Middle Eastern country has qualified through Asia for the World Cup, what will it mean for Wellington Phoenix in the Asia based Aussie A-League? Australia taking an Asian countries place is one thing, but an NZ side prepared in part by playing as one in the A-League, in Asia, may see the wealthy Middle Eastern Asian Chiefs further pressuring the FFA to remove the Phoenix. One thing is sure Australia will not move out of Asia for the sake of the Phoenix. Maybe New Zealand football has bitten off more than it can chew. Can't wait for the game...Nov 16th all over again...come on Smeltzy!

the kiwis play soccer now? This world just keeps getting stranger and stranger...

Just watched the highlights of the 1st game too. NZ are gonna need plenty of heroics from Paston again and some BAD misses from Bahrain, if they're hoping to keep a clean sheet.

In these two-legged ties, a 0-0 home result isnt bad. In fact it means if that side score away from home they've got a huge advantage. Sure, Bahrain have got to travel a long way in November, but they are a good side. The Socceroos saw that in the WCQ, when he fluked a late goal to beat them in Manama. I'd still back Bahrain.

Greg/AndyRoo correct on the score draw observation. NZ is going to face the problem we used to face - meeting a country that has been battle hardened through a long qualifying process, playing plenty of decent opposition along the way. Their one saving grace is that Bahrain isn't exactly Iran - still tough opposition as far as NZ is concerned (look no furhter than the Oman game the other night), but certainly beatable. Will Nelson play for NZ? That's a bit of a bonus - Bahrain wouldn't have a defender at his level. But yeh - definitely the time for Smeltzy to pull one out of the hat.

If it's a scored draw NZ can replicate our achievement of not qualifying for a World Cup despite going through the whole campaign undefeated (assuming NZ didn’t lose to an Island team) ...turns out they did lose one.

In fact it's a worse position Pip than us in 1997. We had an away goal in our pocket, NZ do not. Shane Smeltz is the "wild card" for NZ, but I don't think they will play positively and that will play into Bahrain's hands. NZ will look for pens, Bahrain 1-0 in regular time is my tip.

Greg timely comment. If I'm not mistaken - Bahrain were in the Asia vs Nth America play off last time (that eventually went the way of T&T). It's a very good position NZ find themselves in - but no better than the position Australia found itself in back in 1997 against Iran. Don't be surprised if this leg goes beyond 90 minutes (and the longer it goes, probably the more it will suit Bahrain). But I hope NZ make it - it would be fantastic for both of us to be in SA (a bit like a tri-nations reunion!!)

I agree NZ could hardly be in a better position, but what's the old line about not counting your chickens before they are hatched? There's a lot of psychology and tactics that go into two-leg ties, which really have to be seen more as one complex match played over 180 minutes, possibly more. Bahrain were 0-0 after the first leg at home in their tie against Saudi Arabia, so they will not be too uncomfortable with their present position: basically all they will need to do is to score a goal in Wellington, because it's hard to see NZ scoring two. In fact in some ways it's hard to see them scoring even a single goal. Ricki Herbert-coached teams have gone 0-0 in their last four matches (3 Phoenix, 1 NZ). Yes, Smeltz, Fallon and Killen is as potent a strike force as NZ has fielded for many a long while, but where's the creative forces in the midfield that any goalscorers require? Of course I wish the All Whites all the best, but the prevailing attitude in NZ that they have their foot in the South African door is not only wrong, it's extremely dangerous. Anyone who doubts that should just think back to Australia-Iran in 1997, an encounter that still haunts Australian football. In some ways I'm inclined to think that NZ's best chance is to play for another 0-0 and go for penalties. That's when the Bahrainis would become exceptionally nervous.

The original article was ridiculous. People objected to it because it was breathtakingly dismissive of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. You didn't even name a single player from either country. There's no vindication for unfairly talking down teams you don't know anything about. Its always a stupid thing to do.

NZ must make defence their main priority. Concede a goal, and you must score two. NZ should start conservatively and take control of the game, then gradually build towards pressing for a goal. How come the Aussies s Oceania winners always had to play South American opposition to get through? I guess we did have Iran once...infamously...

I predict NZ go out on the away goals rule but I wish them well. Would be good for the A league if they get up.

the main problem i had with your previous article was that you pretty much just said that new zealand is a stronger side to the bahrain and saudi arabian team without justifying your answer. “Pit these three sides head to head, and you will see that every Kiwi is equal to, or better, than any Saudi or Bahrain player.” Since at no time in your article did you ever go through in detail the Bahrain or Saudi Arabian players, I don’t know how you can make that claim. Unless you are going to do an individual comparison with the two teams, you shouldn’t be making comments like that. How did you make that conclusion? Is it because you just never heard of the player therefore just assumed they are not as good as the NZ players? What are the few names in Bahrain who do you think offer threat then? You mention there are a few names but you didn’t mention them What are the few flaws of Saudi Arabian national team? You stated they have some but you didn’t mention them. It was rather superficial analysis _________________ In any case good luck with the kiwis. this is their best chance they are going to get. However getting a draw away from home is no guarantee to go through. Just ask the Saudi Arabian who were knocked out by away goals at injury time against the Bahraini or most socceroos fan around 1997.