NZ beat Bahrain to qualify for WC
Sunday, 15 November 2009
WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Nov 14 (AP): Rory Fallon headed in the lone goal in the 44th minute to give New Zealand a 1-0 win over Bahrain Saturday and its first World Cup berth in 27 years.
Fallon, an England youth international, headed Leo Bertos' corner past Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Jafaar on Saturday for the only goal of the home-and-away qualifying series. The first leg in Bahrain ended in a scoreless draw.
Fallon was denied moments before scoring when a header attempt was saved by Jafaar.
"I was just praying that wasn't my last chance," Fallon said. "Then Leon put in a great ball and with those I don't miss."
Sayed Adnan had a chance to tie the score in the 50th minute-and put Bahrain through to its first World Cup on away goals-after New Zealand conceded a free kick when Tony Lochhead brought down Abdulla Omar in the area
New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston anticipated Adnan's shot and fell on the ball, thrilling the crowd of 35,000-the largest ever for a soccer match in New Zealand.
"I basically just guessed which way he'd go and the ball ended up in my hands," Paston said. "It's a bit surreal really."
Fallon, an England youth international, headed Leo Bertos' corner past Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Jafaar on Saturday for the only goal of the home-and-away qualifying series. The first leg in Bahrain ended in a scoreless draw.
Fallon was denied moments before scoring when a header attempt was saved by Jafaar.
"I was just praying that wasn't my last chance," Fallon said. "Then Leon put in a great ball and with those I don't miss."
Sayed Adnan had a chance to tie the score in the 50th minute-and put Bahrain through to its first World Cup on away goals-after New Zealand conceded a free kick when Tony Lochhead brought down Abdulla Omar in the area
New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston anticipated Adnan's shot and fell on the ball, thrilling the crowd of 35,000-the largest ever for a soccer match in New Zealand.
"I basically just guessed which way he'd go and the ball ended up in my hands," Paston said. "It's a bit surreal really."