BAHRAIN'S inspirational football coach Milan Macala today urged GulfWeekly readers to get behind the national team on Saturday and help keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Our kingdom takes on arch-rivals Saudi Arabia in the first part of a 'Glory of the Gulf' play-off encounter and the team aims to take a convincing lead with them for the return leg four days later.
"We need you!" said Macala. "Your support could make all the difference - almost like an extra man on the field.
"I am confident the stadium will be full of fans, Bahrainis and expats, cheering us on because we really need their help."
Team manager Hasan Ahmed Khalfan echoed the coach's plea, saying: "Come on guys - we will not let you down. Come and cheer us on. Together we can get to South Africa!"
The whole island is buzzing with excitement as the encounter approaches. Kick off will be at 10pm at the National Stadium, close to the Isa Town Traffic Directorate.
The two neighbouring nations have been drawn together by an incredible twist of fate. Both countries came third in their respective World Cup qualifying groups and now face each other for a chance to compete in a concluding play-off encounter against Oceania Group winners, New Zealand.
The prize is a final spot in the World Cup Finals to be held in South Africa next year.
Bahrain came agonisingly close to appearing in the finals four years ago in Germany but fell at the last hurdle in a similar play-off tie against Trinidad and Tobago.
They now have a golden opportunity to make amends, ironically against a Saudi side Macala, the 65-year-old Czechoslovakian, once coached.
To assist in the carnival atmosphere at the stadium fans are being urged to hold up GulfWeekly's special 'Yalla Ya Shabab!' centrespread whilst they cheer on Bahrain to victory in between the 'Mexican waves' and Bahraini drumming. Come on you, boys!
