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New Zealand hold Bahrain in play-off

Isa blew the best chance to give the home side an advantage heading into the second leg in Wellington on Nov. 14 when he rounded goalkeeper Mark Paston in the 75th minute but his shot slammed into the post.

He could have easily squared the ball to an unmarked Jaycee John who, along with his team mates, expressed his frustration at the midfielder for missing the gilt-edged chance.

Fouzie Aish and Muhammed Huibial prompted good saves from Paston while John's 84th-minute shot was deflected away following desperate defensive lunges by Ben Sigmund and captain Ryan Nelsen.

Neither team dominated in the first half. John's shot that sailed wide of Paston's left-hand post in the 20th minute and Husain Ali Baba's shot into the side netting five minutes later were the best opportunities.