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BAHRAIN'S footballer Sayed Mohammed Adnan almost gave up the game he loves after he missed a crucial penalty against New Zealand in the final hurdle of the 2010 World Cup qualification campaign.
The 1-0 defeat in Wellington left the whole nation in sadness after missing out on the FIFA World Cup finals for the second straight time. A score-draw would have taken Bahrain through to this year's sporting extravaganza in South Africa.
Furious fans turned on the star defender, the Asian Footballer of the Year 2009 runner-up, and the player's kid sister was even bullied mercilessly after the defeat.
Speaking for the first time about his ordeal, his eyes welling up recounting the experience, Adnan, 26, from Hamad Town, said: "It is a very difficult time for me and I don't think I will ever forget that day. I had a chance to score and lift the team's spirits but sadly it didn't end up that way.
"At first I was upset by the loss of support from some fans that I have played hard for.
"But despite all the harassment that I suffered, I did not falter as I expected it. What took me by surprise was the harassment my family underwent, and that I do not appreciate. I can handle myself and let it slide off my shoulders, but to harass my six-year-old sister at school - that is completely unacceptable.
"That act actually made me consider leaving the sport altogether because I did not want my family to pay for my faults."
Heartbroken Sayed Mohammed Adnan today apologised to fans for missing the crucial penalty which could have taken the country to the World Cup finals in South Africa, reports Mai Al Khatib.
He hopes supporters will rally round the team and cheer them on this evening when the national side attempts to make amends for the defeat in New Zealand by securing a spot in the Asian Cup finals to be staged in Doha next year.
"I still feel bad that I missed the penalty and I am sorry for that, but now I have a new goal of Asian Cup glory and am determined to work even harder. I will try to win back the fans and to make them happy again.
"I need to put all this behind me though - not forget - but forgive myself."
Adnan, who plays for the Al Khor team in Qatar, and represents Bahrain's Ministry of Oil and Industry when he returns to the kingdom, said his parents and family - as well as a little sister, he has a 16-year-old brother and 25-year-old sister - friends, teammates and football association officials have been extremely supportive in recent weeks.
Despite derogatory comments from some so-called fans, the player also received many calls and texts from supporters genuinely concerned for his well-being.
Adnan said: "When I first returned to Bahrain I was tired, mentally and physically. Despite the negativity there were some positive moments.
"I had over 100 calls cheering me on and reminding me that it was not the end of the world and that we will get there next time.
"Everyone reminded me that it wasn't only my fault because it's not like anyone-else scored in the 90 minutes we were given. But I still feel like I could have made a difference. I was also upset about the quality of our play that day.
"I have been in the team since 2004 and I have had followers and supporters from the beginning. When I lost some of my local fans it did hurt.
"I have always tried to make them proud and alongside my teammates achieve our sporting dreams.
"I would like to be remembered for all the good that I did when I retire from the game."
He has a chance of making his mark in the history books this evening at the National Stadium in Riffa by helping to secure the kingdom a place in the finals of the Asian Cup.
He said: "It will be a tough match for me now because I need to regain my confidence. I need to get over what happened and move forward.
"It will also be hard to play in front of the fans I have disappointed. So I hope to make them proud of me once again.
"I love football and will work hard to keep the momentum and spirit alive. We need to focus on qualifying for this tournament."
Three teams - Japan, Bahrain and Yemen - are vying for the top two positions from this four-team group that will secure them berths in the finals.
Bahrain are presently in second place below former champions Japan on goal difference. Both have nine points, but the Bahrainis having beaten Japan and Hong Kong away and Yemen at home, have a match in hand. Hong Kong, who lost all their previous three games, are already out of the competition.
The four-nil victory over Yemen was played in front of a pitifully low attendance shortly after the team returned from the New Zealand disappointment.
Players and officials are hopeful Bahrain's true supporters will come out in large numbers for today's 6pm kick-off.
The national team's coach Milan Macala said: "This is an important competition for us and we already had a very good start.
"The Hong Kong game is a very serious one because if we beat them, then we immediately qualify for the finals with 12 points.
"Yes, it would have been nice if we had qualified for the World Cup in South Africa but sadly that is not the case and we need to move on.
"We must learn from the experience and use it in future games. It's time we focused on the Asian Cup.
"I would be very happy to have our fans come out in large numbers to support us. They can play a major role in the game because they build-up the atmosphere and motivate the team. So, yes it would be great to have the stands filled once more."
After tonight Bahrain will then have two matches remaining, including an away game against third-placed Yemen on January 20 in Sana'a.
Macala's side will then travel to Tokyo for their sixth and last game against Japan on March 3.
Nineteen teams from across Asia have reached the final qualifying stage of this continental competition.
