WELLINGTON: A goal by Rory Fallon just before half-time and some heroic goalkeeping by Mark Paston secured New Zealand’s ticket to next year’s World Cup as they squeezed past Bahrain 1-0 here on Saturday.

In a match billed as the biggest sporting event ever staged in New Zealand, the single goal broke the deadlock after the first leg of the Asia-Oceania final last month ended in a scoreless draw. Bahrain’s best chance to equalise, a penalty early in the second half, went begging as Paston blocked Sayed Adnan’s shot.

New Zealand reached the World Cup finals for only the second time, after qualifying for Spain 28 years ago.

After dominating the goalless first encounter, Bahrain started the return match with the luxury of knowing a score draw would be enough to progress, and they attacked from the outset. One particular snap shot from striker Jaycee John was forced away by a diving Paston, who was quickly on his feet to block the rebound.

Zealanders fought their way into the game. Leo Bertos

and Celtic’s Chris Killen both hit the woodwork before Fallon headed home a Bertos corner in the 44th minute.

In the 51st minute Abdulla Omar was brought down by Tony Lochhead in the penalty box and Uruguay referee Jorge Larrionda had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, only for Paston to deny Adnan’s penalty. Bahrain also went agonisingly close to playing in the last World Cup, losing at the same stage to Trinidad and Tobago.

In Nairobi, Obafemi Martins was the two-goal hero as Nigeria defeated Kenya 3-2 and snatched a place at the World Cup. Trailing at half-time in a match they had to win, the ‘Super Eagles’ hit back with two goals inside five minutes through Martins and Aiyegbeni Yakubu. Kenya levelled 12 minutes from full-time only for Martins to score the winner on 83 minutes. The ‘Harambee Stars’ failed to clear a cross and Martins spun before hooking the ball past goalkeeper Willis Ochieng to earn Nigeria a fourth World Cup appearance.

Tunisia, who held a two-point advantage over Nigeria, were too cautious in Mozambique and an 83rd-minute Dario Monteiro goal gave the ‘Mambas’ a 1-0 win. Nigeria finished with 12 points, Tunisia 11, Mozambique seven and Kenya three and the ‘Eagles’ became the fourth country to qualify from Africa after South Africa, Ghana and Ivory Coast.