Terry Maddaford: Late strike is greatest threat

New Zealand can win tonight. The TAB odds are about even and a poll in a Bahrain newspaper - no doubt fuelled by a huge expat vote - still suggests the kingdom will again stumble at the final hurrah.

But for those at the coalface there is nothing to be read into such things. Tonight's game is all business.

Big business, with unfathomable riches awaiting the winners. But right now, money is the furthest thought from the players' minds. All that matters is winning a football game.

Both camps are understandably confident ahead of the biggest game in all the players' careers.

Comparisons have been made but in the end it is simply a case of: he who dares, wins.

The All Whites beat the odds and an imposing Bahrain side to hold out for a scoreless away draw in the first leg.

That pressure is now on the Bahrainis. How they handle that, and the outside influences that the crowd and maybe the weather will bring, will be critical.

Bahrain coach Milan Macala and his contingent of fans - both at home and in Wellington - want an early goal. That would be enough, they maintain, to launch them into the World Cup.

In reality, a late Bahrain goal poses far more of a threat to New Zealand hopes than an early strike.

Score early and the visitors will be caught in two minds. They can sit on that advantage, fully aware the All Whites must score twice to take the tie and the ticket to South Africa. Or opt to chase a second, defining goal to slam the door and end any home hopes.

Both options could play into New Zealand hands.

Coaches will tell you how fraught with danger it is to take the "sit back and soak" option - just as there are risks in chasing a second goal and maybe being caught short defensively.

New Zealand has rarely had such attacking options. Shane Smeltz, Rory Fallon and Chris Killen - with Chris Wood in the wings - give the All Whites their best strikeforce since Wynton Rufer and Steve Wooddin.

Encouraged from the first whistle to the last by the massive sellout crowd, they will impose relentless pressure on the Bahrain defence.

In the final analysis, Smeltz and co are capable of getting the job done and sparking euphoria rarely seen at a football game in New Zealand.

Can't wait.