Although the situation may be only academic by the time they play, Scotland's final World Cup European Zone Group 5 qualifier away to Slovenia will kick off at 1930 BST, the same time as Italy v Moldova and Belarus v Norway.

Qualification from Group Five for the FIFA 2006 World Cup in Germany could depend on the outcome of the three games and FIFA have agreed to co-ordinate the kick-off times. Scotland must beat Belarus on the 8th of October, and the Slovenians four days later to have any chance of a play-off place.They also need Norway to drop points in one of their remaining two fixtures.

Walter Smith's Team will be re-enforced from the Team that played so well in Norway, with several key players returning from suspension and injury, but he will have difficulties in persuading any one of those players who performed so admirably in Oslo that they should make way for some one else. If Scotland do eventually qualify, Smith's name will become legend for having dragged his team back from the brink, and also for helping to banish the memory of the dreadful times under Berti Vogts.

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