Soccer-Excitement building in NZ ahead of World Cup qualifier

By Greg Stutchbury

WELLINGTON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen and coach Ricki Herbert are failing miserably in their attempt to hose down public expectations ahead of Saturday's World Cup playoff against Bahrain.

New Zealand have only qualified for the World Cup finals once before, in 1982, but are suddenly on the verge of making a second appearance.

They drew 0-0 away to Bahrain in Manama last month, leaving everything to play for in Saturday's return leg at Wellington's Westpac stadium.

The expectation in rugby-mad New Zealand is rising by the day and even Nelsen and Herbert admitted they were struggling to contain their excitement.

"There is nothing bigger," Nelsen told reporters in Wellington.

"It's bigger than the Olympics 100 metres final...I've just put a bit more pressure on us haven't I?"

Herbert, a mainstay in the centre of defence in the All Whites side that qualified for the 1982 finals, said he was also caught up in the excitment.

"It's the biggest sporting event in the world and to be able to be part of that is something that is very exciting," he said.