Original upload date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Archive date: Sun, 05 Dec 2021 10:51:34 GMT
RIYADH - Ismail Abdullatifs dramatic stoppage time equaliser ensured Bahrain remain in contention for a place at next year's World Cup as they drew 2-2 in the second leg of their qualifying play-off a
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gainst Saudi Arabia at King Fahd International Stadium.
The hosts took the lead in the 12th minute through Nasser Al Shamrani before Bahrain equalised five minutes before the break through Jaycee John.
But a thrilling final few minutes saw Saudi Arabia seemingly secure victory as they went ahead through 2005 AFC Player of the Year Hamad Al Montashari only for Abdullatif to grab an equaliser that ensures Bahrain progress on away goals to face New Zealand in a final play-off for a place at the World Cup.
The visitors started well and called Saudi goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah (pictured) into action in just the third minute when he had to palm over a dangerous Faouzi Aaish free kick.
Two minutes later Bahrain shot-stopper Sayed Jaafar did well to deny an onrushing Yasser Al Qahtani following a swift break from Saudi Arabia.
But the hosts went ahead soon after following a delightful passage of play in which Al Qahtani picked out Mohammed Noor with a pass and he in turn played a first-time ball into the path of Al Shamrani, who swept home from close range.
Sayed Jalal almost levelled for Bahrain midway through the half when he volleyed inches wide but the equaliser arrived in the 40th minute when John fired home from close range following Abdulla Omar's cross across the face of goal.
With Bahrain needing just a draw to qualify, Saudi Arabia were forced to press for a second and Abdullah Shuhail just failed to get on the end of an Al Qahtani cross early in the second-half.
But chances were at a premium and as the game entered stoppage-time it appeared the visitors had done enough to secure the result they needed.
However, Saudi Arabia went ahead in dramatic fashion when Al Qahtani chased a seemingly lost cause and successfully hooked the ball back into the area just before it went out of play and found Al Montashari, who powered a header into the back of the net.
The home fans were still celebrating when their side's hopes of a place at the World Cup were ended as Bahrain won a corner that Salman Isa floated into the box and Abdullatif sent a header into the bottom corner of the goal.
This video incude the last 5 mins video from STAR SPORTS (ESPN).
