MANAMA, Bahrain, CMC:
BAHRAIN HAVE pointed to poor refereeing as the reason behind their 1 - 1 draw with Trinidad & Tobago in the World Cup play-off on Saturday.
"Some poor decisions by referee Mark Shield denied us a crucial victory, but I have full faith in our players to seize this opportunity and qualifying for the World Cup," the Gulf Daily News quoted Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, president of the General Organisation for Youth and Sports, as saying on the team's return to the country Sunday.
Shaikh Fawaz, who led the delegation to T&T, did not go into detail but Bahrain had a goal disallowed for offside.
Husein Isa Ghuloom Ali had headed Bahrain in front in the 72nd minute before Trinidad and Tobago's England-born midfielder Christopher Birchall scored from 45 metres out with a powerful right-foot screamer to level the scores in the 77th minute.
HEROES' WELCOME
Bahrain's national team received a heroes' welcome as they returned home Sunday night following the match.
T&T also arrived on Sunday night in preparation for the return leg of the play-off at the country's National Stadium tomorrow. Shaikh Fawaz said the team was confident of a victory against the Caribbean side, but felt local support would be critical.
"I also believe that Bahraini supporters will decide the fate of the team," he said. Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Bahrain Football Association vice-president, echoed similar sentiments.
"The team did well in Port-of-Spain and will have to perform similarly here on Wednesday," Shaikh Ali said. "I believe the players are capable of doing especially well, particularly in front of their home crowd."
Goalkeeper Ali Hassan, the squad's most experienced player, said it was a must-win situation for the Persian Gulf team. "This is a do-or-die match for us. We have never been so close to the World Cup and should never miss this opportunity," Hassan noted.
