BRING 'EM ON!

BINGO! That boy Ringo has done it again for Bahrain and thrilled fans hope he'll keep his shooting boots on target against arch rivals and neighbours Saudi Arabia, writes STAN SZECOWKA.

Substitute Mahmood 'Ringo' Abdulrahman's cracking free-kick secured all three points at the National Stadium in a game against Uzbekistan in which Bahrain only needed to draw to secure a third-place play-off place. A similar wonder strike by the player broke the hearts of the same opponents in the away fixture.

Now all thoughts are on the Saudi showdown on September 5 at home and the return in Riyadh four days later. The drama continues for the winners who will face Oceania champions New Zealand in November for the final birth in the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Hero Ringo, who was named after the Beatles drummer by teammates because of his - and his father's - uncanny resemblance to the music legend, said: "I am now looking forward to the play-off. I hope to make Bahrain proud and qualify for the World Cup finals."

The Bahrain team are on a high unlike the Saudi squad who disappointed their fans with a dismal display and goalless draw at home which allowed North Korea to clinch the fourth automatic berth from Asia for the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Australia, Japan and South Korea had already booked their tickets to the Finals earlier. North Korea finished second to neighbours South Korea in Group B. Saudi Arabia and North Korea tied for second with 12 points but North Korea clinched the berth on better goal difference.

The sorrowful Saudis were targeting a fifth World Cup appearance and despite "dominating the whole game" according to the Saudi Gazette English-language national newspaper, the team failed to find the target against a dour North Korean defence.

Bahrain's national soccer coach Milan Macala gave Ringo a congratulatory hug after last Wednesday's game and said: "It was a very nice goal by Ringo and now what is important is that we are moving on to the playoff."

Fans are now on tenterhooks as the waiting game begins for the crucial ties which will be played during Ramadan.

Business executive and fan Mohammed Kayani, 34, who lives in Saar, said: "Against a team like Saudi Arabia we need to be clinical with our finishing. We have beaten them 3-0 once but can we do it again? We need to play with a cool head and ensure that all players are in sync with each others' passing. GO BAHRAIN!"

Twenty-year-old Bahraini university student Hussain Ali believes Bahrain's team spirit will help the country come out on top. "I think after the great victory over Uzbekistan the Bahraini national team can easily beat the Saudi team if they set their minds to it," said Mr Ali who lives in East Riffa.

"I think team work is the key to winning this match and as usual a great deal of support from the loyal Bahraini fans. It would be great if our team wins."