Soccer: Bahrain and All Whites in different worlds

Ryan Nelsen is nursing a sore back but coaching staff hope he will be fit to play in a day or two. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Government-backed Bahrain are sparing nothing to ensure they are ready for the crucial second leg of their World Cup qualifiers against the All Whites in Wellington.

While the New Zealand-based players in Ricki Herbert's team flew out business class on Emirates yesterday, they will return in economy seats after Sunday's game in Manama.

No such deal for the Bahrain players. They will fly to Wellington in a Gulf Air private plane, stopping off for a three-day training camp in Sydney en route to the deciding showdown at Westpac Stadium on November 14.

After talks between Bahrain's General Organisation for Youth and Sports and their national airline, the deal, which also includes the possibility of cheap flights for Bahraini supporters to Wellington, was struck.

Meanwhile, the home-based Bahrain players have continued to train under the watchful eye of their 66-year-old Czech Republic coach Milan Macala. Nine of the squad are based overseas.

All Whites assistant coach Brian Turner and the non-Wellington Phoenix home-based players Ivan Vicelich, Aaron Scott, James Bannatyne, Jacob Spoonley and Andy Barron have flown to Dubai where they will link with the Australian, British and US-based players and use the swank Jebel Ali Resort midway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi as their training headquarters.

Herbert, who flew into the United Arab Emirates on Saturday night after the 0-0 draw between the Phoenix and Shane Smeltz's Gold Coast United, describes the training base as "unbelievable, world class".

The last player to arrive will be newcomer Michael McGlinchey, who played for Central Coast Mariners in their A-League game against Sydney yesterday and will fly to Dubai today.

Herbert and Turner had mixed news on players at the weekend.

Most concern surrounds captain Ryan Nelsen, who was not included in the Blackburn Rovers side thrashed 6-2 at Arsenal. Nelsen is nursing a sore back after a heavy fall in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa a week earlier.

But he has flown to the Middle East and Turner says his situation will be assessed by the team's medics there.

"It might be he will not be able to train for a day or two but, fingers crossed, he should be ready after that."

Chris Killen was not included in the Celtic side who lost 2-1 to longtime rivals Rangers while Chris Wood was on the bench, but did not see any game time, for West Bromwich Albion in their 0-0 draw away to Preston North End. There was better news for Rory Fallon - he scored his second goal of the Championship season as Plymouth Argyle beat Scunthorpe 2-1.

Across the Atlantic, All Whites Simon Elliott and Andy Boyens went head-to-head for the entire 90 minutes as MLS strugglers San Jose Earthquakes and New York Red Bulls clashed.

In the end Elliott's Earthquakes got home 1-0 thanks to a controversial penalty.

Vicelich and Scott sat out NZFC pre-season friendlies with Scott nursing a slight ankle injury.

Again, Turner is confident he will be fit come kick-off on Sunday morning (4.30am NZ time).

"There have been no last-minute hiccups," said an obviously anxious Turner.

"It is very much a case of the calm before the storm."