Bahrain 0, NZ 0

Went to the NZ - Bahrain World Cup Qualifying match in Bahrain. 25,000 screaming Bahrainis and about 400 Kiwis. The Kiwis tried to make as much noise, but got drowned out any time they tried - every second Bahrain fan seemed to have a gas hooter, and a group had drums and megaphones! Lots of decibels.
The images below are a little lower quality - taken from my phone.
Great occasion, and very cool to have had the opportunity to be there. The atmosphere was absolutely electric. The game itself was perhaps a little disappointing - both sides a bit down on quality. If Bahrain had a strong finishing striker they'd have won 3-0. Their midfield had a lot more control than ours. We were a bit 'hit and hope' really.

The pitch was immaculate.

The NZ supporters - all down one end of the ground.

The All Whites come to clap the Kiwi supporters at the end of the game.

All in all 0-0 is a result that NZ can and should be happy with. Now we need to pray for rain, 10 degree temperatures, and a howling southerly with -5 degrees wind chill factor for the return in Wellington...... wish I could be there.