Soccer: 'Australian' victory plunges Bahrain into darkness at noon

Bahrain's Sayed Mohamed Adnan jumps onto All Whites striker Rory Fallon during their 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier played at Westpac Stadium. Photo / Mark Mitchell

With headlines such as "darkness at noon", the time difference was not the only thing that made reports on Bahrain's World Cup football loss to New Zealand a little confusing in the Gulf nation.

In one report, a Gulf Daily News reporter even referred to the All Whites as Australia - a reflection perhaps of how unknown New Zealand is, making the loss even more shocking and agonising for football fans back in Bahrain.

"Soon Australia tightened the grip and began to dominate both sides of the field while Bahrain seemed to be in a pistol duel with only blanks," wrote journalist Vijay Mruthyunjaya, who was reporting from Wellington.

"Bahrain's ambitious bid to become a beacon for tiny nations vying for global glory ended on a gloomy note on a cold and bone-chilling wintry night in Wellington."

Shock, heartbreak, frustration, grief and agony were other words used in the country's English language daily to describe fans' feelings over the shock result.

"We already bought flags and were going to hit the streets and blast music in celebration. I was sure our team would make it as New Zealand is not strong," the Gulf Daily News quoted Bahraini supporter Rana as saying.

"The [Bahraini] players were not giving it all they've got," said another, Ali Sabkar.

Bahrain's coach, Milan Macala - who has coached six national sides without ever getting to the World Cup finals - also came under heavy fire.

Critics claimed he did not make the right substitutions at the right time.

This is the second time Bahrain has lost a play-off game for the World Cup.

They lost to Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 on aggregate over two games in 2005.

Around 1000 Bahraini fans travelled to Wellington from the kingdom, elsewhere in the Gulf and Australia to cheer on the team.