Beauchamp victim of mistaken identity

Barry Robson missed a first half penalty in Celtic’s 0-0 Champions League draw with Aalborg today but the most embarrassed man on the field was the referee who mistakenly sent off Australian Michael Beauchamp.

Robson’s 30th minute spot kick was blocked by goalkeeper Karim Zaza and the Scottish champions missed several more chances at Celtic Park as the Danish side, reduced to 10 men after the surprise 80th minute ejection of Beauchamp, held on for a point.

It appeared that Michael Jakobsen should have been the player ejected for a foul on Georgios Samaras but Italian referee Matteo Trefoloni showed the red card to teammate Beauchamp in a case of mistaken identity.

“It definitely looked like an easy decision,” the Socceroos defender said.

“He had his two helpers on the sidelines as well and all three of them got it wrong. A bit disappointing for myself but that’s football sometimes.

“Initially I heard number four getting yelled out and I was like, ‘What’s going on there?’”

After Jakobsen’s 14th minute curling free kick went wide of the Celtic post, Aalborg should have gone ahead two minutes later when Jeppe Curth was put clear of the defence but shot wide with goalkeeper Artur Boruc off his line.

Celtic missed from the penalty, however, after Steve Olfers’ wild lunge brought down Shaun Maloney.

Robson’s powerfully hit shot was straight down the middle but goalkeeper Zaza blocked it with his legs.

Roared on by 60,000 fans, the Scottish champions pressed hard early in the second half against an Aalborg side managed by former Scotland international forward Bruce Rioch.

After Shunsuke Nakamura’s close range shot had been blocked by Tomas Enevoldsen, the Japanese midfielder’s corner was punched off the line by Zaza.

Two minutes later Samaras beat Zaza with an angled shot but it went wide of the far post.

“We weren’t at our best in the first half-hour, that’s for sure,” said Celtic manager Gordon Strachan.

“We’ve made enough chances to win it.”

Nakamura floated the free kick towards the top corner at the far post but Zaza made an acrobatic save to tip the ball over.

Celtic’s Australian striker Scott McDonald was largely ineffective and was replaced in the 63rd minute.

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