All White On The Night

New Zealand's All Whites scraped through in a close encounter in Wellington to beat Bahrain 1-0 and qualify for only their second World Cup Finals. A header from Rory Fallon was enough to win this intercontinental playoff, although Bahrain missed a second half penalty which would have seen them through on away goals.


To be honest, it was two poor teams scrapping it out. On this evidence New Zealand will need to up their game somewhat next summer, although the tension of the occasion may account for some of the scrappiness. Bahrain did more of the attacking, including a late onslaught, but in truth never really threatened aside from a couple of long shots, up until their penalty.

New Zealand threatened in patches, but the goal was well taken and they also hit the woodwork twice in the few chances they did create. All in all, a decent game with few chances, played out in great atmosphere as the Kiwi fans donned white instead of black to cheer their team through.

Neither team would have caused much of a ripple next summer, but it's New Zealand who will get the chance. What price being paired with Australia or England in South Africa? But let's not take away from New Zealand's big moment.

They may only have had to scrape past New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu and Bahrain to qualify - surely the easiest route to the Finals ever? - but qualify they have, and you can only beat what's put in front of you. Their fans will I'm sure bring a party atmosphere to proceedings in South Africa and will enjoy every moment, however short lived it will be.