The former assistant of South Korea took an understrength Team Melli, who were eliminated from qualification in June after finishing fourth in their group behind Saudi Arabia, to Manama in midweek for a friendly that the hosts won 4-2.
Now, all eyes in Asia are on the play-off. The first leg takes place in Manama on Saturday with the action switching to Riyadh four days later.
The winner meets New Zealand in October and November with a place in South Africa at stake.
“Bahrain has the qualities to compete and surprise Saudi Arabia,” Ghotbi told Goal.com.
“To achieve that, they must overcome their inferiority complex. The psychological duel between the two Arabic countries will play the most important role in this historic match."
“Bahrain defends in numbers (normally nine players behind the ball) and looks to counter with pace and use the quality of their strikers to create their chances. They are dangerous in dead ball situations which makes them a difficult opponent for all Asian teams.
“Saudi Arabia can play combination football to control the match, and they can be effective on counter attacks football as well but they will struggle in defending Bahrain's dead balls.
“Given the history, experience and the quality of the Saudis, they must be favoured to advance but football is full of wonderful surprises."