TOP Gulf Air officials yesterday gave the Bahrain national soccer team a warm send off as they took off for Sydney ahead of the decisive second-leg of the final playoff against New Zealand for a place in the 2010 World Cup.

The Bahrain delegation, led by General Organisation for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Bahrain Football Association vice-president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, departed on a specially-operated Gulf Air flight to Sydney for a four-day training camp before hopping into Wellington on Thursday for the all-important match set for Saturday.

The winner of this match will secure a place in the 2010 World Cup finals to be held in South Africa.

The team was given a warm send-off from Bahrain International Airport by Gulf Air chief executive Samer Majali and other senior Gulf Air and Goys officials.

"Gulf Air is very proud to be the official carrier of Bahrain's National football team. You have worked very hard to get here today and you have the support of the entire Kingdom in your bid to cross this final hurdle and gain a place in the World Cup next year," Majali told the team at the departure lounge.

The special flight was arranged as per the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Youth and Sports.

"It is a proud moment to watch the team boarding the Gulf Air aircraft to go off and compete in this significant football match," said Shaikh Fawaz.