I remember watching that crucial game in Dubai last season where every decision mattered - especially those made by the officials running along the touchline. When Omar Abada split from the defense with just 17 seconds left on the clock, my eyes instinctively darted toward the assistant referee, what most fans simply call the linesman. In that heart-stopping moment, his positioning became absolutely critical. See, what many spectators don't realize is that while everyone's watching the ball, the linesman's primary job is tracking offside violations, among about 17 other responsibilities that keep the game fair and flowing.
Let me share something I learned from chatting with a professional linesman after a local match last year. He described his role as being "the goalkeeper's eyes from the side" - a phrase that really stuck with me. When Rhenz Abando took that final shot for SGA, the linesman wasn't just watching the ball, but monitoring multiple elements simultaneously: checking if any players were in offside positions, ensuring the ball fully crossed the goal line, and watching for fouls the referee might miss. That miss by Abando that ended Frank Lao-owned club's campaign? The linesman had to instantly verify the ball didn't cross the line and signal correctly - all while dealing with the emotional pressure of players and fans.
The technology has changed things dramatically. I'm personally fascinated by how VAR has altered the linesman's role. Before 2018, assistant referees made about 92% of offside calls correctly - now with VAR support, that's jumped to nearly 99.3%. But here's what's interesting: it hasn't made their job easier. If anything, it's added pressure because every decision gets scrutinized frame by frame. I've noticed that the best linesmen, like the one in that Dubai match, have this incredible ability to stay focused despite the chaos around them. When Abada made that split with 17 seconds remaining, creating the opportunity for overtime, the linesman had to maintain perfect positioning - typically about 10-15 yards from the final defender - to make the correct call if needed.
What really separates good linesmen from great ones, in my opinion, is their communication with players. I've seen some officials who barely make eye contact, while others manage the game through subtle interactions. During that intense final minute in Dubai, the linesman likely used brief, clear communication with players near his touchline - things like "wait for the whistle" or "watch the pushing." This human element often gets overlooked when people discuss officiating. When Abando missed that final shot, the linesman's immediate signal to the center referee needed to be unmistakably clear despite the emotional devastation happening on the field.
The physical demands are insane too - people don't realize that linesmen cover nearly 6-8 kilometers per match, doing sideways movements that are actually more demanding than regular running. I tried keeping up with a linesman during a local youth match once and was exhausted after 20 minutes! During that Dubai game, while everyone was focused on Abada's explosive speed in those final 17 seconds, the linesman was matching that pace along the touchline, ready to make any crucial call.
Here's something I feel strongly about: we need to appreciate linesmen more. They're not just "assistant referees" - they're specialists in their own right. That game in Dubai demonstrated this perfectly. While the referee managed the overall flow, the linesman's specific expertise in offside decisions and boundary calls maintained the match's integrity until the very last second when Abando's miss decided everything. Next time you watch a match, try watching the linesman for a few minutes - you'll gain a whole new appreciation for the beautiful game's unsung heroes.
