Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Bahrain's plans to arrange a friendly match before the World Cup play-off clash against New Zealand at the National Stadium have been cancelled.
Officials believe the players are match fit, raring to go and would better be served with intensive training sessions so the players can perfect new set pieces.
Coach Milan Macala's tactical wizardry will come to the fore as he works with the players on a variety of new free kick and corner options, both of which have proved decisive in recent games in the World Cup campaign.
The cocky Kiwis have continued their bragging in the build-up to the two-legged affair which offers the prize of a place in next year's World Cup Finals in South Africa. Michael McGlinchey played his first game for New Zealand in a recent 3-1 friendly win over Jordan in Amman and told Australia's The Daily Telegraph: "The boys honestly believe they can make it and are up for it against Bahrain."
And, coach Ricki Herbert has welcomed the appointment of European match officials. There was a suggestion Asian officials might control the match on October 10 but FIFA announced the appointment of a Hungarian referee.
The UK and US-based All Whites are due in Dubai on October 5 with the New Zealand-based players with the remaining staff members due a day later for training and a warm-up game.
New Zealand football officials are sparing little in preparing for this crucial tie to the extent of allowing all players to fly business class. "We are leaving nothing to chance," said Turner.
Bahrain coach Milan Macala has called for one last push from his players and GulfWeekly is backing them all the way.
So much so, that Bahrain's favourite community newspaper has this week been lambasted in the New Zealand press and on national radio for criticising the Kiwis' attitude.
