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New Zealand earned a 1-0 win over Bahrain to secure its first World Cup berth in 27 years. The winning goal for New Zealand came from Rory Fallon in the 44th minute.
Fallon said,"I was just praying that wasn't my last chance. Then Leon put in a great ball and with those I don't miss."
Sayed Adnan got an opportunity to equalize in the 50th minute after New Zealand conceded a free kick when Tony Lochhead brought down Abdulla Omar in the area.
The match was witnessed by thrilling crowd of 35,000 - the largest ever for a football match in New Zealand.
New Zealand keeper Mark Paston said,"I basically just guessed which way he'd go and the ball ended up in my hands. It’s a bit surreal really."
Paston, playing on the home ground of his Wellington Phoenix A-League club side, was one of New Zealand's heroes on Saturday, along with Fallon, Bertos, midfielder Tim Brown and Glasgow Celtic striker Chris Killen, formerly from Wellington.
New Zealand captain and Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen said,"I knew this was going to be won by the local (Wellington) lads. Brown, Paston and Bertos were fantastic."
"The crowd was incredible and I don't know if we could have won it without them. They were our 12th man today and they got us home," Nelsen said. "I've played in some incredible atmospheres but this is right up there."
New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said,"I'm speechless. This group of players has given everything to achieve this dream, everything over the last four years. It's incredible. We're back. We're there. South Africa."
