Fallon heads New Zealand into World Cup finals

A goal by Rory Fallon just before half-time and some fine goalkeeping by Mark Paston secured New Zealand’s ticket to next year’s World Cup as they squeezed past Bahrain 1-0 here on Saturday.

In a match billed as the biggest sporting event ever staged in New Zealand, the single goal broke the deadlock after the first leg of the Asia-Oceania final at Manama last month ended in a scoreless draw.

Bahrain’s best chance to equalise, a penalty early in the second half, went begging as Paston blocked Sayed Adnan’s shot.

Before a crowd of 35,100 at Westpac Stadium, a record for a football match in a country obsessed with rugby union, New Zealand reached the World Cup finals for only the second time, after qualifying for Spain 28 years ago.

After dominating the goalless first encounter, Bahrain started the return match with the luxury of knowing a score draw would be enough to progress, and they attacked from the outset.

But after weathering the opening onslaught, the Ryan Nelsen-led New Zealanders fought their way into the game.

Leo Bertos and Celtic’s Chris Killen both hit the woodwork before Fallon headed home a Bertos corner in the 44th minute.

After Paston denied Adnan’s penalty in the 51st minute, New Zealand slowed their game and tightened their defence to stifle the away side’s attacking opportunities.

The Gulf nation, with a population of a little over a million, also went agonisingly close to playing in the last World Cup before losing at the same stage to Trinidad and Tobago.