It's now or never for the All Whites

BY FRED WOODCOCK

Last updated 05:00 14/11/2009

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The All Whites' "one shot for glory" slogan could not be more apt.

The marketing hot-shot wouldn't have had it in mind at the time, but tonight we have a scenario where literally one shot, one piece of brilliance, one mistake, or even one refereeing decision, could bring the glory that football has been craving for 27 years.

Alternatively, that one moment in time could go the other way, and bring the heartache that New Zealanders have not even dared to contemplate this week.

Of course, the players, coaches, and most of the 35,500 fans at Westpac Stadium tonight are hoping there is more than one shot, that the All Whites will canter to a 4-1 win, get the party started, and march on to South Africa.

But the reality is that matches of this magnitude – where history, prestige, millions of dollars, and possibly even careers, are on the line – rarely produce five-goal thrillers.

Clear-cut chances will be few and far between. Every inch will be fought for.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, aiming to return to the stage he graced as a player in 1982, fronted the press yesterday and expressed confidence in his players.

"I have really liked what I've seen, there's been a positive approach. There has been tension and pressure around it, but they will handle it, absolutely."

The All Whites were relaxed earlier in the week and did a marvellous job of interacting with the public before and after training. We have not seen them since Wednesday, but Herbert will use the same 3-4-3 formation he used in the first leg, a 0-0 draw.

Simon Elliott's fitness is still up in the air and a call will be made today. It would be a travesty if the long-serving Wellington midfielder misses out on what would be the biggest international of his life.

He is 35, after all, and he would not get another shot at a World Cup.

Elliott's place would be taken by Central Coast Mariners midfielder Michael McGlinchey, who certainly would not let them down if his form is anything to go by.

There has been much debate about the formation.

Herbert has taken a punt in playing three at the back and the match could be decided by how well the All Whites can halt Bahrain's pacy wide players.

If they can do that, and get players such as Leo Bertos forward and linking with the three strikers, they have a real chance.

Expect New Zealand to also impose themselves physically and attack from set pieces, where the aerial threats will come from Rory Fallon, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz and captain Ryan Nelsen, whose presence on the park cannot be underplayed.

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There has been much hype around the All Whites, but there is a reason why Bahrain are favourites to win. They are ranked 22 spots above New Zealand and, as their Czech coach Milan Macala points out, they should have won the first match by at least 2-0.

And they are determined to make sure history doesn't repeat.

In 2005, the tiny Persian Gulf nation of about 800,000 people lost at this same stage, a surprise 1-0 home loss to Trinidad and Tobago, having drawn 1-1 away.

"This is history," Macala said. "We have some players who remember this game and they were sad and disappointed, but that is a long time ago."

Their late arrival in Wellington and the cold conditions have been talking points, but Bahrain are used to playing away from home and they have a good record.

Herbert spoke yesterday of emotion, and channelling it in the right way. He knows how much winning means to the country and he has been doing it tougher than he did as a player in 1982.

Not for much longer, though. The day of reckoning has arrived.

The stage is set and all roads lead to Westpac Stadium. The All Whites have one shot for glory.

- © Fairfax NZ News