George Hamilton blasts World Cup VAR implementation…

George Hamilton blasts World Cup VAR implementation and says ball was out of play for Japan goal

George Hamilton has blasted the implementation of VAR at the World Cup in Qatar - and says Japan's winning goal against Spain shouldn't have stood.

Ao Tanaka netted what proved to be the winner for Japan as they came from behind to beat Spain 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.

But many thought the ball had gone out of play before Kaoru Mitoma played it in to assist the goal, although VAR ruled that the ball was still in play.

Hamilton was commentating on the game for RTE and believes the ball was out of play and that the goal should not have been given.

He said on RTE's Morning Ireland on Friday: "That second goal has highlighted the fact that VAR is the 33rd competitor at this World Cup - 32 teams and VAR is playing as well in almost every match.

"From the very start when Ecuador had a goal disallowed after three minutes in the opening game against Qatar through the various controversies that have continued throughout. We've had goals disallowed, we've had offsides given, we had a penalty given against Poland when it really shouldn't have been given because there was no punch on goalkeeper Szczęsny's Poland part against Lionel Messi.

"And last night that ball was out, whatever VAR says fractionally on the line, the curvature of the ball, come on! And then we have these toes that put people offside or arms that put people offside. It's just gone too far.

Japan's second goal scored by Ao Tanaka is awarded by the referee following a VAR check (AFP via Getty Images)

"I also think the fact is VAR is so untransparent compared with the situation in rugby where everybody knows what's going on when the television match official is involved. There were 44,000 people in the stadium last night and they had no idea what was happening with that goal being allowed or disallowed. It was only at the very end when they had made their decision and the referee does the sign of the television and points to the centre spot that they knew a goal had been scored.

"Everybody thought that ball was out, everybody in the stadium thought it was out and even on the television replay Ray Houghton's first reaction was that ball was out. It's just taking things to such ridiculous extremes that it really needs to be looked at again."

As well as securing Japan first place in Group E, the victory also dumped Germany out of the World Cup despite their 4-2 win over Costa Rica on the same evening.

But German manager Hansi Flick said they only had themselves to blame for crashing out at the group stage.

He said: “I don’t care about other teams because it is all up to us. If you look at the matches and the number of goals, it is our fault.

“I am convinced we had possibilities and chances in the (last) match against Spain to win, but you have to take those chances and score and then it would have been a different situation for us.

“There are so many reasons (for Germany’s exit), but I am not looking to find excuses. We did not have a lot of time to train, but it is not down to that. We fulfilled our duty today and went off the pitch with a victory, but the result could have been better.”

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