Scotland's World Cup hopes were shattered when a late strike from Holland substitute Eljero Elia denied them second place in Group Nine and any hope of a play-off spot for South Africa after the 1-0 defeat.
Kenny Miller hit the woodwork and squandered another great opportunity in the first half as George Burley's men gave their all in front of a packed and passionate Hampden.
However, their efforts were in vain as their visitors maintained their 100% record in the campaign, while Norway's victory over Macedonia saw the Scandinavians snatch the runners-up spot instead.
There was a major let-off for the Scots with just four minutes on the clock when Dirk Kuyt unleashed a ferocious shot from the edge of the box which smacked off David Marshall's left-hand post.
Miller went close and Scotland were threatening again moments later when Alan Hutton flighted a lovely ball to the back post but Scott Brown stabbed agonisingly wide of the upright.
Scotland had enjoyed a period of pressure without being able to capitalise and it was a full-stretch Marshall who was called into action to keep the scoreline level when he tipped a well-struck shot from Wesley Sneijder over the crossbar.
With half an hour gone, it was Scotland's turn to be denied by the woodwork. Brown flicked into the path of Miller and he managed to shrug off Joris Mathijsen only to rifle off the crossbar with no-one able to follow up.
The Rangers striker then squandered another great chance to hand the Scots the lead. A long-range shot from Naismith was touched onto the post by Michel Vorm, before Miller pounced on the rebound and fired straight into the arms of the goalkeeper when it looked so much easier to score.
Still the Dutch pressed for the opener and Marshall came to the rescue with an excellent stop to prevent an angled drive from Arjen Robben finding the back of the net.
Substitute Elia found the back of the net with eight minutes remaining when David Weir inadvertently nodded the ball into his path and he sent an angled drive into the back of the net despite the efforts of Alan Hutton on the line.
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i'd sooner follow my shyte doon the pan than follow england
Why wouldn't a class manager want to take Scotland job? Who would of thought Ireland would get a world class manager?
Burley has limited resources but with a country having so little quality you can't afford to have problems with players.
With the group having no "minnow" team in Scotland were always gonna struggle, The wins against these teams can often build up confidence which the scots needed.
In the end it looks like a draw wouldn't of got them through anyway as the two teams below Norway in play off spots have 2 games to get a point. Norway will be worst Qualifier.
stu_johnson: watch the game did you? Miller should have scored twice. The keeper wasn't to blame for him not scoring. He simply shot straight at him or off target. Boyd would have won Scotland that game but Burley treated him like shyte and the rest is now history.
I love the way the scots accuse us English of arrogance, and then you get comments below like Benlora's. What makes you think any world class manager is going to take the scotland job, why would he want to?? You've got to be realistic about this. I'm not anti-scottish, and i'd have been happy to see them qualify, but you were NEVER EVER going to beat Holland, NEVER! Just because you got the right result against macedonia, didn't mean you were going to then beat one of the best sides in the world. But thats all we heard from you after saturdays win. Get real! Face it, your campaign was over before these 2 games came along.
"World Class managers" (Benlora) are not interested in such a pathetic group of no hopers. FIFA should have two competitions the world cup for the best teams who can play football and win matches and an also ran competition for the no hopers like scotland, sorry if this offend the tartan army but it is true
you can follow england again so cheer up and be happy tommrrow another day.
Burley, Miller and Boyd should forget about football and concentrate on other pastimes - they have let the whole nation down. A massive reshuffle needs to happen, from the SFA to the coaches. Then instal a world class manager, one the players can look up to and respect...... RIP Scottish football.............
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