The two AFC nations drew 0-0 in Manama after finishing third in their respective Asian World Cup qualifying groups. It means New Zealand's final World Cup qualifying opponent is one step closer to being decided. 

Bahrain and the Saudis meet again in Riyadh on Thursday morning with the home side taking a slight advantage into the second and deciding leg. The winner then plays Oceania champion New Zealand over two legs on October 10 in either Riyadh or Manama for a spot at South Africa 2010.

The deciding leg will be played on November 14 at Westpac stadium the home of Smeltz' former club Wellington Phoenix. Smeltz has arrived in the Middle East with his Kiwi teammates for a preparatory game against Jordan also on Thursday.

Set to join him in the capital Amman is Blackburn Rovers skipper Ryan Nelson, Central Coast Mariner Mike McGlinchey and Plymouth striker Rory Fallon, who is likely to partner Smeltz.

However, teenage West Bromwich Albion striker Chris Wood was a late withdrawal through injury. Celtic's Chris Killen has also succumbed to injury leaving Ricki Herbert's strike options bare for this important friendly.

All-White defender Tony Lochhead told  au.fourfourtwo.com that Bahrain may be a better match up for the Kiwis, but says whoever they play; Smeltz is likely to be the key.  "I think they're both going to be pretty tough but from what we've been told, Bahrain is probably a better match up for us. So fingers crossed we get them," he said.

"But either way, we've just got to go out and do our thing. It's going to be difficult to travel over there, but lucky for us, Smeltzy has been in fine form at just the right time."

Smeltz, the reigning A-League player of the year and golden boot, has been in scorching form this season with eight goals from five games - including four in one match against North Queensland Fury and two on Saturday against Sydney FC. 

These final two qualifiers are rightly being touted as the biggest tie in New Zealand football since qualification for the 1982 World Cup in Spain. 

"It's nice to have a home tie to end it, but we've got to do the job in the first leg and take care of business then," added the Wellington Phoenix defender.

Kiwi coach Ricki Herbert told au.fourfourtwo.com. he'd settle for a draw away from home ahead of the final qualifier in Wellington in November. 

"There's a lot of excitement in New Zealand with the ticket launch and the launch of the website [http://www.oneshotforglory.co.nz]. There's definitely a lot of interest," says Lochhead, 27.

"The aim is to sell-out the stadium and I think we should do that. To qualify would be a dream come true."