New Zealand qualify for South Africa
New Zealand claimed their place at next year’s FIFA World Cup™ finals with a pulsating win over Bahrain in the second leg of their play-off. Striker Rory Fallon headed home the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time, while goalkeeper Mark Paston also saved a penalty to see the All Whites through to South Africa.
In front of a capacity crowd at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on Saturday night, New Zealand repeated the efforts of the national team of 1982. The 35,194 boisterous fans, the largest crowd to watch a football match in New Zealand, made their presence felt with a continuous cacophony that started well before the opening whistle and continued long after referee Jorge Larrionda blew for full-time. The result gave the All Whites a 1-0 aggregate win following the goalless draw in Manama on 10 October.
“This group of players has given everything to achieve this dream, everything over the last four years,” said New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert, who was a member of the defensive line that played in Spain. “It’s incredible. We’re back. We’re there.”
New Zealand skipper Ryan Nelsen, paid tribute to the 35,100 fans in Wellington – a record for a football match in the country. “The crowd was incredible and I don’t know if we could have won it without them,” he said. “They were our 12th man today and they got us home. I’ve played in some incredible atmospheres but this is right up there.”
fifa.com
