Ref named for NZ's World Cup playoff

Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda is to control the World Cup soccer playoff between New Zealand and Bahrain in Wellington on November 14.

His appointment was announced today by Fifa, world soccer's governing body.

Larrionda has been an international referee since 1998 and he was in the middle for the 2006 World Cup semifinal between France and Portugal, which was settled by a penalty to French captain Zinedine Zidane.

The 41-year-old will have two compatriots as his assistant referees in Wellington and the fourth official will also be from Uruguay.

The goalless first leg of the playoff in Manama on October 10 was officiated by a team of Hungarian officials.

- NZPA