Bahrain Old Boys: Don't Miss This Chance To Go To The World Cup

With Bahrain just 90 minutes away from a first ever World Cup, former internationals Ali Aamer and Ali Hassan have told the 2009 national team that they will never get a better chance to appear on the global stage.

The Reds are in action in New Zealand on Saturday for the second leg of their 2010 World Cup play-off. After a goalless draw in the first leg last month, any kind of win or score draw will send Bahrain to South Africa.

Both Aamer and Hassan missed out on the 2006 World Cup by falling at the same and last hurdle - that time against Trinidad and Tobago.

"I, like every Bahraini in our country, hope they can do it," Aamer, who plays Muharraq Club, told the Gulf Daily News.

"This is maybe our best chance. We have a very good group, and I have faith in them."

"Many of our players were part of that 2005 team, and from that experience, I think they had learned a lot," Aamer said.

"Our young guys also have good knowledge playing outside of Bahrain, so overall I think this team has a better chance than we did in 2005.

"We also have a great coach in Milan Macala. He has so much experience in the Gulf, and he knows how to get the most out of our style. Inshaallah, we can come away from New Zealand with a berth in the World Cup."

Former goalkeeper Hassan is also confident.

"To qualify will mean a lot not only to all of us who played and are still playing for the national team, but also to the whole country," said Hassan.

"I am sure that our players will not want a repeat of what happened to us against Trinidad and Tobago," the 38 year-old added.

"Many of our older players will likely leave the international game after this qualifying competition, or if we qualify, after the World Cup," Hassan said.

"It is their dream and the whole country's dream, and they will go for it with everything they have now."