ALL WHITES V BAHRAIN - Official 2nd Leg T

has he been ruled out ?

OK, the match is just over 24 hours away and its time I give my thoughts on both sides chances tomorrow

New Zealand
This is it for New Zealand. A massive opportunity for the All Whites to make it to their 2nd World Cup. No doubt they will have a loud and passionate crowd behind them tomorrow and the cold and windy conditions will be of help. They know that qualification for the World Cup will be massive for football in New Zealand.

I can see the Kiwis winning it in normal time. They have the strikers to finish off chances in Shane Smeltz and Chris Wood. The key for them is that the defence holds firm throughout because Bahrain can be dangerous on the counter and an away goal for Bahrain will change everything. I'm sure captain Ryan Nelsen will lead the defence out in a strong way.

For coach Ricki Herbert, he has done a remarkable job this year, having to work on both the club and national team level. He knows his players well and will use the inspiration of his experience as a player when he was part of the All Whites team that qualified for Spain 1982 to motivate his men.

Bahrain
For Bahrain, a score draw will be enough to see them through. They're very capable of getting the job done. However, they really need to polish up on their finishing as this is what let them down in the first leg. They need to utilise their strengths of being quick on the counter. The weather conditions may play a factor in this though. Jaycee John and Husain Ali will be the key up front.

Extra motivation for the Bahraini's is that a lot of the players in the squad were part of the side which missed out on qualifying for Germany 2006 when they fell to Trinidad & Tobago at the final hurdle. They definitely do not want to experience something like that again.

As for their coach, Milan Macala is an experienced and well respected coach in the Middle East and has done well with Bahrain since taking over. He needs his side to have that never say die attitude which they showed against the Saudis in that remarkable playoff.

Elliot is a massive loss (if he's out), but McGlinchy is a pretty decent replacement.

if Elliot is out :

HALLI-f**kING-LUGHA

the best news all year !!!!!!!!!

he's old, slow and can't pass forward.

Comrade Elliott will be a good side-line supporter

Not at all happy about 343.....
Who is going to provide for the big guys up front if leo is at wing back.....We have to win this...and to win we must score. So it will probably be heaps of long ball.

Still, I hope the boys can guts it out.....this is without doubt the biggest sporting moment of my life. A World Cup playoff in my own city....and a team that is in with a chance. It will be a tight game probably with one goal in it. Too tough to call

GO THE ALL WHITES!!!!!!!!!!1

So few clues, so many posts.

Any truth to the rumour that the NZ Gov has called the game off ... because Windy Wellie and the country as a whole needs nerve medication and they have run out...

[QUOTE=Midfielder]Any truth to the rumour that the NZ Gov has called the game off ... because Windy Wellie and the country as a whole needs nerve medication and they have run out...[/QUOTE

I know the feeling !!!!!

I know exactly what you mean, but Costa could always play on the wing. with his speed he could may well do the job that Bertos did in Manama, and leave Bertos free to move forward.

I know it's quite unlikely but something Herbert probably has been thinking about.

                   Paston
  ^    Siggy  Nelsen  Vicelich Lochy
   l
Costa   Brown   McGlinchey  Bertos
  
         Killen   Smeltz  Fallon

has the pace to do this but probably not the stamina and physical dominance to defend.

maybe an idea for if we need to get a goal in the last 30mins.

is costa even in the squad

on the fringe, all hangs on Elliott, I'm hoping to god he's fit though. 

ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE. Mods could we create a seperate Costa/formations forum...

Just watched live stream of 3 news sport. "Sir" Ricki very impressive, Bahrain coach "Boris Yeltsin" was a bit of a crack -up.. GO ALL-WHITES !!!!!!!!!!!!

hopefuly we do not play a 3-4-3

i hope to god Elliot pulls his hammy or something in training tonight.

maybe you guys don't understand - WE NEED TO WIN !!!!!!!!

Elliot did f**k all in Manama but when little mac came on - we actually looked like we were going to score

he set up Wood (offside goal)

Elliot is only in the squad because what he has done in the past. he doesn't cut it I'm afraid.

he's too slow and always passes back !!!!!

i only want what is best for us and having Elliot out is the best for us.

YAAAAAAAWN

WTF ?

you don't even know me.

does calling me a f**kwit make you feel big ?

what a sad little man.

Not at this stage.  Earning brownie points for tomorrows absences.

whatever mate.

i guarantee if Elliot is out WE WILL WIN !!!!

Saved.

lol nice formation smittyz11, the good old 4-4-3 paulm2009-11-13 19:01:50

Elliott was poor in Bahrain but every other time i've seen him play for us (including in the Confeds) he's been our best player or near to it. Little Mac came on with 20 mins to go against a tiring team - hardly comparable. In saying that he aint a bad replacement to have. I just don't think he dictate play like Elliott can.

elliott will be big loss, not because mclginchey isnt a decent player, but bc brown cannot do the role elliott plays. elliott takes responsibility for all our possession and looks to get us started. brown now equipped for that and mclginchey pushes further forward. we will have to play more direct without elliott.

you guys hurt my feelings.

you make me feel small just because i have a different opinion to everyone else.

i hope you lot are proud of yourself.

is simon elliot defitnalty out

mate he only had 12 appearances with nothing to show for it.

Did you watch any of those appearances ?

oh please why would i waste my life watching that rubbish.

12 apps. no goals in a whole 2 years is poor.

There is going to be some Bahrainian noise 2moro nite..will be hard to shut it out!

again, you do not know me.

you are judgemental.

(btw - i am not emotionally unstable/depressed)

yes i am judgmental. And based on your comments, that is how i judged you.