Bahrain touch down, Elliott in serious doubt

CRAIG SIMCOX/Dominion Post

GOOD MOOD: Bahrain coach Milan Macala was in an upbeat mood as his team arrived via private jet at Wellington Airport tonight.

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The Bahrain national team hit Wellington tonight and pronounced themselves ready for the biggest game of their lives - but All Whites midfielder Simon Elliott is now an outside chance for Saturday night's World Cup showdown.

Elliott took some part in a full training session today for the first time since the All Whites assembled in Wellington but he is now looking more and more doubtful to start the match against Bahrain in his home town.

The 35-year-old has had a hip injury but he got through a warm-up at Newtown Park and then joined in a team drill.

But Elliott sat out the set piece session, where every other All White, including the goalkeepers, practised penalties - lest they be needed to settle the tie in the event of a stalemate after 120 minutes.

Fairfax Media understands Elliott is now regarded as an outside chance, rather than a 50-50 prospect to take his place in Ricki Herbert's starting lineup.

The fact he could not take part in set pieces could be telling.  Elliott, a set piece specialist, took freekicks and corners in the first leg in Bahrain last month.

His absence would see Michael McGlinchey - an impressive substitute  in Bahrain last month _ start alongside Tim Brown in central midfield. It would leave young striker Chris Wood as New Zealand's only match-fit, game-breaking substitute option.

Meanwhile, Bahrain coach Milan Macala was adamant that his team had not left their arrival in Wellington too late.  Some observers, including All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen, were surprised at Macala's decision to train in Sydney and delay their New Zealand arrival until just over 48 hours before kickoff.

But Macala shrugged off the suggestion when he faced a gaggle of New Zealand and Bahraini media at Wellington airport tonight. "Two days is long enough,'' he insisted.

The Czech-born coach said his players were ready, "as your players will be ready''.

About 200 people - mainly media, airport staff, New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum and chief executive Michael Glading - were at the terminal to greet the Bahrainis who arrived on a chartered Gulf Air flight.

The Bahrain players deferred all comment to coach Macala, who planned to take his team to a closed 8pm training session under temporary lights at Newtown Park.

Bahrain's flight was almost two hours late in arriving - and they faced a further delay before they could clear the Customs hall after a luggage conveyor belt broke down.

The Bahraini party comprised 44 people - 22 players and 22 management and coaching staff.

Three Saudi Arabians studying English at Massey University were present to welcome their Gulf region neighbours in a show of Middle Eastern solidarity.

"We are Arabic, so we will support Bahrain,'' said Zayad Alsubaie, who secured match tickets two months ago.

He said he would back the Bahrainis even though they eliminated Saudi Arabia in the Asian confederation fifth place playoff to decide which side would meet New Zealand.

"I think all Arabic people in New Zealand will support Bahrain,'' Alsubaie said.

Bahrain will have a smattering of support in the Westpac Stadium stands.

The Bahrain Football Association bought 450 seats when final tickets went on sale last week.

- © Fairfax NZ News