WE MEAN BUSINESS

THERE is an icy determination within the Bahrain squad of players as they set their minds on securing the result needed for passage into the 2010 World Cup Finals.

They will need to conjure up every ounce of self belief and teamwork to support each other against a battling New Zealand side brimming with confidence after securing a lucky draw in the first leg.

The All Whites escaped the National Stadium five weeks ago after a combination of ill-fortune, desperate defending, gallant goalkeeping and lacklustre finishing left a 0-0 scoreline despite Bahrain's nine clear goal-scoring opportunities.

Bahrain's forwards are not in the mood for a repeat performance. Jaycee John, 24, the Nigerian-born striker, who took Bahraini citizenship after shining for champions Muharraq, now plies his trade in Belgium. He scored a crucial goal against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, and is ready to sink the Kiwis.

"To all Bahrain football fans and GulfWeekly readers - I want them to know that I will try my hardest to take them to the World Cup finals and bring success to the nation," he said. "I think we had a little bit of hard luck in the first game but that's going to push us to play harder and fight for a result in New Zealand."

Four years ago in a play-off with Trinidad and Tobago Bahrain drew 1-1 before losing 0-1 at home to bow out. Bahrain's midfielder Mohammed Hubail, said: "We will make up for it in the next match against New Zealand. We can do better. We will surely deliver because we have nothing to lose now.

"We want to make it to the finals and we will fight until the end. God help us and let's make the kingdom proud. I want all Bahrainis to feel a sense of pride when our country steps out into the World Cup arena."

The player is doubly determined to shine for the sake of his brother, Ala'a, who has missed the trip through injury and will be out of the game for six months.

The 27-year-old striker Ala'a said: "I am very disappointed with my outcome but this is my fate. It happened during a match. I took a shot at the goal, pulled a ligament in my right knee and I heard a pop. After that I couldn't move and it was all over for me. But I know my team will not let us down. We will deliver and make amends in New Zealand. Bahrain will finish what they started and be victorious."

Goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaffar Sabt, 24, said: "Inshallah we will win This is our dream and that of every Bahraini."

And defender Sayed Mohammed Adnan, 26, added: "I want to reassure the fans that we will be up for the challenge. This is the beginning of something great."

The world will be focusing on the two tiny nations. Between them, the combatants have a population of four million and a single appearance on the global stage, New Zealand in 1982. The latter stat will change next June but only after the second leg in Wellington on Saturday will we know which minnow is swimming to South Africa.