It’ll be an early morning start for All Whites fans on October 11 with the Bahrain Football Association confirming a kick-off time of 4.30am (NZT) for the away leg of New Zealand’s crucial FIFA World Cup playoff against the Middle East nation in Manama.
The match kicks off at 6.30pm (10 October) local time and will be shown live in New Zealand on Sky Sport.
The BFA has also confirmed ticket prices for the match as 20 Bahraini Dinars (NZ$76) for VIP Box seating and 7.5 BHD (NZ$28) for a ticket to the First Stand. Tickets are only available at the gate.
For avid kiwi football fans, Thai Airways – a principal partner of the All Whites – has arranged an eight-day supporters tour to Manama with stopovers in Bangkok and Dubai. Details are available from www.nzfootball.co.nz.
The return leg of the qualifier will be played at Westpac Stadium on November 14, with the winner over two legs earning a place at the finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Bahrain qualified for the playoff against Oceania Champions New Zealand after beating Saudi Arabia on away goals over two legs last week.
Tickets for the decisive home leg in Wellington can be purchased from www.oneshotforglory.co.nz.
2010 FIFA World Cup – Intercontinental Playoff
First leg
Bahrain v New Zealand
National Stadium, Manama
October 10, 2009
Kick-off 6.30pm local (4.30 am, Oct 11 NZT)
Second leg
New Zealand v Bahrain
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
November 14, 2009
Kick-off 8pm
Tickets from www.oneshotforglory.co.nz
Courtesy of NZF Media