We won't reach Finals but ref will

Oct 12 2008 By Brian Mcginlay

WHEN Scotland sub Chris Iwelumo shaped up to take THAT shot I must have been the only person inside Hampden glancing at the farside assistant ref to see if his flag was up.

What I saw wasn't an official waving for offside but a man running back to the halfway line as fast as he could to line back up for kick-off because even he thought it was a goal.

I looked back a split-second later and saw it wasn't a goal and still couldn't believe it. Then I looked across at the technical area where the fourth official was in talks with referee Massimo Busacca as the goal kick was held up.

For another split second I wondered whether they were taking time to debate whether or not television replays had shown the ball had gone through a hole in the net.

But it hadn't, and even if it had the goal wouldn't have counted because TV replays can't be used for that.

I bet Iwelumo wishes right now the flag HAD gone up or the ball had gone through a hole in the net.

At least then he wouldn't have to explain what happened to cause what was the miss of this or any other season.

That fluffed chance ultimately cost Scotland victory and I believe probably their place at the World Cup Finals.

In fact, of the three teams on display at the National Stadium competing for a place at South Africa 2010 I reckon the Swiss officials have the best chance of making it.

Busacca has strong credentials. His last two appearances at Hampden before yesterday were as the man who refereed Scotland's win over France and took charge of the 2007 UEFA Cup Final between Sevilla and Espanyol.

On paper, nobody could have argued with his choice and on the pitch few could either. The first halfwas possibly the easiest game he'll ever have to referee.

The match was devoid of bad tackles or controversy and the only moment when I feel the whistler got it wrong was the challenge midway through the second half that saw Darren Fletcher clattered.

As he did so often, Busacca waved play on and while Fletcher will undoubtedly feel he should have had a free-kick the ref was one of the main reasons why the game flowed so much.

He let the players get on with things and with no bad blood between the teams he had little else to do.

He strolled through the match and will probably waltz, with his officiating team, into the Finals.

Sadly, I doubt Scotland will even get the chance to stagger there alongside the Swiss officials after yesterday's result.