Do or die for New Zealand, Bahrain

For once in rugby-mad New Zealand the round ball is hogging the headlines ahead of Saturday's crunch tie here against Bahrain for a place in next year's football World Cup.
The All Whites only ever appearance in football's showcase event was in 1982 and Bahrain is gunning for its first ever World Cup spot, with the rivals evenly poised following the 0-0 first leg clash in Manama last month.
Bahrain showed then why it is ranked 22 places above New Zealand at 61 in the world rankings, making most of the running in the home tie but failing to find the back of the net.
New Zealand is hoping they will be carried to victory by the Wellington stadium -- affectionately known as the Cake Tin -- filled to capacity with 35,500 screaming All Whites fans.
Skipper Ryan Nelsen has questioned Bahrain's decision to delay its arrival in New Zealand's capital until Thursday evening after a camp in Sydney.
"I was very surprised because there's a two-hour difference from Australia and the weather's going to be completely different," the Blackburn Rovers defender said.
Wellington's spring is often chilly and stormy, in contrast with balmy conditions in Sydney and Bahrain.
Nelsen is hoping Wellington turns on its worst weather for the tie.
"A good, dirty southerly, some beautiful Wellington wind, and a nice bit of sleet," he said.
The 32-year-old captain of the English premiership side says nothing he has experienced compares with the prospect of a place in the World Cup.
"I think most people understand that it's fairly big, but in terms of playing or coaching in this, it's absolutely the pinnacle of sport, there's nothing bigger," he said.
"When you're kicking the ball round with your mates when you're 10 years old, you dream about this situation."
Coach Ricki Herbert was there as a team member of the All Whites side that made the 1982 World Cup. After 27 years, he knows a repeat is almost within grasp.
"To go to the World Cup would be an incredible feat," Herbert said.
"We've come through some difficult times. Four years ago there wasn't the interest in the team and where it could get to, but we've hung tight and delivered an opportunity for the game that's fantastic."
Bahrain coach Milan Macala told Australian television broadcaster SBS this week that his team was confident after having the better of the first leg.
"We had many chances in the first game and this will give us enough motivation. The players know their responsibilities well," Macala said.
"We will not be afraid of our opponents. Our main aim is to score early in order to put pressure on our opponents, who will be playing at home in front of their own fans."
Bahrain came tantalisingly close to qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, falling at the final hurdle in a two-leg qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago.
"I am living this dream like any other Bahraini who wants to qualify for the World Cup for the first time," said Macala, a native of the Czech Republic.
Both squads are relatively injury free, although veteran Bahrain defender Mohamed Husain was reportedly still recovering from a back muscle injury this week.
For New Zealand, midfielder Simon Elliott appeared to be in doubt due to a hip strain.
Herbert will be placing his faith in strikers Shane Smeltz -- the top scorer this year in Australia's A-League, Rory Fallon and Chris Killen, with teenager Chris Wood of West Bromwich Albion likely to be on the bench.
New Zealand needs to win to realise their 27-year dream because a scoring draw would see Bahrain go through on the away goals rule.
A scoreless draw would take the tie into extra time and a penalty shoot out if needed.