Australia World Cup breakthrough a major boost for Asian football
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-18 00:31

Frustrated Bahrain coach Luka Peruzovic admitted the pressure got to his players.

"The players didn't play very well and they didn't have a good game at all," he said. "We had some good chances to score but we didn't convert them."

Despite being just a step away from booking their flight to Germany, the 2004 Asian Cup semi-finalists have not managed a win in eight World Cup qualification games, dating back to their 2-1 victory over North Korea in Pyongyang in March.

Bin Hammam commiserated with the tiny Gulf nation.

"It is very unfortunate that Bahrain lost to Trinidad and Tobago as they came so close to qualification this time around," he said.

"It could be more difficult for them in the next World Cup qualification. But this is football and we have to accept the result in a sporting manner."