China, who played in their first finals three years ago, were surprisingly knocked out in the first round in the Asian zone. They could then watch Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Japan and Iran gain the automatic qualifying places, while Bahrain first had to beat Uzbekistan before playing against Trinidad and Tobago for a place in Germany.
The Caribbean team stunned the Asians after having been held to a 1-1 draw in Port of Spain by winning 1-0 in Manama.
The game ended dramatically when Bahrain striker Ahmed Hassan had the ball in the back of the net four minutes into injury time after dispossessing goalkeeper Kelvin Jack as he was about to kick the ball upfield.
To the dismay of the capacity crowd and the Bahraini players referee Julian Oscar Ruiz Acosta ruled that Hassan had committed an infringement in taking the ball from Jack and awarded a freekick for the visitors.
In the ensuing melee Hussain Ali Baba was sent off.
But while the Caribbean players started dancing on the field, many of the Bahraini players broke down and cried with the final whistle and had to be escorted off the pitch.
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