Manama: Bahraini soccer fans were left despondent on Saturday after the national team failed to live up to their expectations and missed the bus to the World Cup finals in South Africa.
Bahrain were beaten by New Zealand in the crucial match in Wellington after Rory Fallon, a former England youth international, headed a corner past Bahrain goalkeeper Mohammad Jaafar.
"I, like many people, thought of the possibility of a defeat, but we never thought that our players would disappoint us by losing a match that was really ours," said Abdullah Nizar, a media expert.
Missed penalty
"The responsibility was heavy and the whole nation was glued to every move the team made as we all dreamed about becoming the smallest nation in the world to make it to the finals. But the disappointment is devastating."
Life in Bahrain came to a standstill at 10.00am with most people rushing to public halls and private living rooms to watch the live broadcast of the match from Wellington.
A missed penalty told the story of the day for Bahrain.
"That was pathetic. Really pathetic. We missed an appointment with history. Not only did they miss a penalty and plenty of scoring opportunities, but also lacked the fighting spirit that would have made the difference," rued Abdul Aziz Bu Gais, an office clerk.
The normally bustling Suq Al Magasees, a popular week-end open-air market, was virtually deserted.
