Bahrain just need a point against Uzbekistan to achieve that goal and have the opportunity to exorcise the memory of 2005 when they missed out on the last edition following a play-off defeat to Trinidad & Tobago.

"The game on Wednesday is decisive and we must not let this chance go," said Macala.

"Winning the game will give us a chance to continue the dream of qualifying to the World Cup finals by playing in the play-offs.

"The spirits of the players are high despite the defeat against Australia in the previous match. We all know that our situation is critical but we can qualify with two results and hopefully we can seal the necessary points from the game."

Uzbekistan, on the other hand, must win to snatch third and despite an underwhelming campaign that included a 1-0 defeat in Tashkent to Bahrain and a seemingly difficult task, Macala was loathe to discount Wednesday’s opponents.

"Uzbekistan is a strong team and despite the recent good results that we have had against them, this doesn’t mean that we are favourites," he added.

"They have prepared well and their game against Japan showed that they are a good side.

"They will come to Bahrain with a full-strength squad and this will make the game totally different than the match that we played in Tashkent.

"They are also now better on the technical and psychological fronts and this will make it hard for us."

Macala decided to rest Ala’a Hubail against Australia and the prolific striker is expected to return against Uzbekistan but there are doubts over the availability of Abdulla Fatadi, who has missed training due to illness.

Uzbekistan coach Mirjalal Kasimov will welcome back defender Anvar Gaforuv, who missed the previous game against Japan through suspension, while Victor Karpenko and Zaynitdin Tadjiyev are also included in the squad.

"We have already played several times against Bahrain so we know this team well," said Kasimov.

"We are now in a situation where it is necessary to do everything to get the three points."