New Zealand won the Oceanian Zone qualifying section and then beat Bahrain in a play-off to seal their place in the finals for the first time since 1982.
The Kiwis won five of their six games in a group that also included Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
New Zealand ruined their chances of a perfect record in Oceanian Zone qualifying with a surprise 2-0 defeat to Fiji in their final game.
And after playing out a goalless draw in the Middle East in the first-leg of their play-off, Plymouth striker Rory Fallon scored the all important goal to send the All Whites to South Africa
