Soccer: Herbert - Bahrain World Cup qualifier less intimidating than Saudis

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is happy their World Cup final qualifiers opponents will be Bahrain.

Bahrain yesterday set up a two-match series against the Kiwis beginning at home next month with a dramatic 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain winning on the away goals rule.

Herbert, whose All Whites had a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Jordan in Amman yesterday, said the atmosphere against Bahrain promised to be less intimidating than it would have been against the Saudis.

There was a fair degree of drama as the All Whites fought back after going a goal down in the opening minute against Jordan when goalkeeper Mark Paston completely misjudged a well-struck free kick which went through the seemingly non-existent defensive wall.

The hosts could have had a second goal within a minute from a similar opportunity but Paston punched clear for a corner. The All Whites got back into the game in the 16th minute when Ben Sigmund played the ball in.

Debutant Rory Fallon was slightly checked but the Syrian referee ruled the tug on his shirt was enough for a penalty which Shane Smeltz wasted no time in converting.

The referee continued his nightmarish ways culminating in his ridiculous decision to send Ivan Vicelich off when he handled the ball while on the ground - in the Jordan penalty area.

When left to play the last three minutes of the first half and all the second a player short, the All Whites quickly rallied.

Simon Elliott fired a left-wing corner beyond the far post from where Fallon looped a header home for 2-1.

Forced to make tactical changes at the break, Herbert called in his other debutant, Michael McGlinchey, who, like Fallon, had a first outing at this level to savour.

The All Whites made the game safe in the 66th minute when they turned defence into attack, sent the ball wide to Leo Bertos who crossed neatly to the near post from where Smeltz turned and hit home a sweet left-foot volley.

It was a useful hit out which left Herbert satisfied.

"I'm very pleased when you remember we have been together for only four days," said Herbert.

"A silly referee decision cost us the chance of having 11 men on the pitch for 90 minutes but at the end of the day that might prove to be a good lesson."

FINAL ASIAN QUALIFYING PLAY-OFFS
* 1st leg (Manama): Bahrain 0 Saudi Arabia 0
* 2nd leg (Riyadh): Saudi Arabia 2 Bahrain 2. HT: 1-1
Bahrain claim fifth spot and now play New Zealand in Asia/Oceania play-offs (home and away).
* 1st leg (Manama): 8pm October 10 (5am October 11 NZ time)
* 2nd leg (Wellington): 8pm November 14

WORLD RANKINGS:
* Bahrain 64 (highest 44, September 2004; lowest 139, March 2000)
* New Zealand 100 (highest 47, August 2002; lowest 156, September 2007)