FORMER Bahrain internationals Ali Aamer and Ali Hassan yesterday called on the national team to make the most of what is likely the kingdom's "best chance" at reaching the Fifa World Cup.
Aamer and Hassan, both prominent figures in their prime, were part of the Bahraini squad who came so agonisingly close to qualifying for the World Cup's 2006 edition in Germany - losing only to Trinidad and Tobago in the two-legged inter-confederation play-off in November of 2005.
Since then, they have both retired from the international game, and now hope that Bahrain - led by the remaining veterans who were part of the past World Cup qualifying campaign - can get the job done when they battle New Zealand in Saturday's winner-take-all clash.
"I, like every Bahraini in our country, hope they can do it," Aamer told the GDN last night. "This is maybe our best chance. We have a very good group, and I have faith in them."
Aamer, aged 31, still plays for Muharraq Club as a central midfielder. "Many of our players were part of that 2005 team, and from that experience, I think they had learned a lot," Aamer said. "Our young guys also have good knowledge playing outside of Bahrain, so overall I think this team has a better chance than we did in 2005.
"We also have a great coach in Milan Macala. He has so much experience in the Gulf, and he knows how to get the most out of our style. Inshaallah, we can come away from New Zealand with a berth in the World Cup."
Hassan, Bahrain's former number one goalkeeper, shares Aamer's hopes. "To qualify will mean a lot not only to all of us who played and are still playing for the national team, but also to the whole country," said Hassan, who is one of the most capped goalies to ever put on the Bahrain strip. He was also a part of the Bahrain squad that beat Brazil and advanced to the semi-finals of the Fifa Under-16 World Cup in 1989.
"I am sure that our players will not want a repeat of what happened to us against Trinidad and Tobago," he added.
Hassan, 38, thinks the upcoming match presents not only Bahrain's best chance to qualify, but perhaps the "last chance" for many of the squad's seniors.
"Many of our older players will likely leave the international game after this qualifying competition, or if we qualify, after the World Cup," Hassan said. "It is their dream and the whole country's dream, and they will go for it with everything they have now."
Meanwhile, injured star striker Ala'a Hubail also believes this could be the last hurrah for some of Bahrain's veterans.
"We don't know what will happen in the next four or five years; and it is difficult to know who will still be playing with the national team at that time," said 27-year-old Hubail, who was another member of the 2005 team that succumbed to the Trinidadians. "I think this will be the last chance for at least four of our national team players, and I hope they can grab this opportunity for all of us."
Hubail is disappointed he is not with the team that will play at Wellington on Saturday, having torn the cruciate ligaments in his right knee and needing a recovery period of at least six months. Still, he trusts the squad can get the job done.
"The national team is more than just one player," Hubail said. "If I am out, there will be someone there who can play for me."
Bahrain need to win or get a draw with goals in Saturday's return leg. Their first meeting last month in the kingdom finished goalless, so a score draw will be enough to win on the away-goals rule.
