Bahrain qualify for World Cup Asian playoff
Soccernet.com
Bahrain defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 at the National Stadium on Wednesday to book a place in the World Cup Asian playoffs.
Bahrain only needed a draw to make the playoffs but grabbed all three points after Mahmood Abdulrahman scored from a stunning free kick in the 74th minute.
The hosts then had Abdulla Marzooq sent off four minutes later but held on for victory.
Bahrain finished third in Group A behind Australia and Japan, who had already qualified automatically for South Africa in 2010.
Bahrain next play the third-placed team in Group B, still to be determined, over two legs in September.
The winners advance to a home and away playoff against Oceania winners New Zealand in October and November for a place in South Africa.
Bahrain, one of the most improved sides in Asia in recent times, have never qualified for the World Cup finals but came close four years ago.
They won the Asian playoff against Uzbekistan before being beaten by Trinidad and Tobago in an inter-confederation playoff.