HIBERNIANS-  0

FC SALZBURG- 3

Hibernians: A. Hogg, M. Kreuzriegler, R.da Gracia, J. Lima, R. Soares, M. Dias (J. Mbong), B. Kristensen (J. Degabriele), C. Failla (M. Sahanek), J. Bezzina, A. Agius, Jorginho

FC Salzburg: A. Walke, P. Miranda, D. Caleta-Car, R. Yabo (M. Rzatkowski), D. Samassekou, M. Dabbur, V. Lazaro, V. Berisha, A. Ulmer, T. Minamino (H. Wolf), H. Hwang (F. Gulbrandsen)

Referee: F. Jovic (Croatia)

Scorers: V. Berisha 31 pen, H, Hwang 35, T. Minamino 54

Yellow cards: M. Dias, V. Lazaro, T. Minamino

Red card: V. Berisha

Attendance: 1,450

 

SILVIO VELLA

Hibernians were heavily beaten at home yesterday by Austrian powerhouse FC Salzburg in the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round.

The Austrian champions showed the gulf in class between the two teams. Totally in control, they scored two goals in quick succession in the first half, after a good opening half hour by Hibernians.

Salzburg added a third before the hour to practically secure qualification ahead of the return leg in a week’s time.

If Hibernians coach Mark Miller was hoping for some surprise before the match, at the end it proved that the local champions are not anywhere near the quality or the finances Sazburg have.

Goalkeeper Andrew Hogg recovered in time to start the match for Hibernians after injuring himself in Tallin in the previous round.

Andrei Agius again played in front of the defensive trio of Soares, Rui and Kreuzriegler, with five in midfield and Jorginho the most advanced player, isolated in attack. Degabriele, Mbong and Sahanek were named among the substitutes.

Hibernians began confidently enough, staying composed to limit the danger of superior opponents. In flashes, the guests  looked threatening through the footwork of German midfielder Reinhold Yabo and Austrian international Valentino Lazaro. But for most of the opening half hour the Hibernians custodian was hardly ever severely tested.

Even without the injured Ghana duo of Tetteh and Atanga, and with German midfielder Marc Rzatkowski only going in as a late substitute, FC Salzburg proved that they are a good side in their own right with plenty of pedigree to them. Yabo, Samassekou and Lazaro excelled in midfield. Dabbur, Manamino and Hwang impressed in attack.

A good Salzburg move involving Berisha and Lazaro brought up the first corner after two minutes. Past the quarter hour Lazaro ran dangerously inside the Hibernians area, crossed low but Minamino’s effort was blocked.

Then, on the half hour, Lima tried to cut Dabbur’s cross from the left with his outstretched hand and Salzburg were awarded a penalty, which Valon Berisha tucked away.

The Malta champions collapsed to concede a second goal only five minutes later. South Korean forward Hee-Chan Hwang capitalised on a Berisha through pass, finding an opening inside the Hibernians defence, to beat keeper Hogg with a low diagonal strike.

The only time Hibernians tried to break forward in the first half, was on 38 minutes when Jorginho powered his run down the left but his shot went slightly over.

Salzburg made an aggressive start to the second half. They carved out the first opportunity when Berisha put Dabbur clear inside the Paolites’ area but Hogg rushed out to block.

The Hibernians’ custodian again made a point-blank block on Minamino’s close shot.

Hibernians conceded a sloppy third goal on 54 minutes. The Mali midfielder Samassekou played the ball wide to the advancing Dabbur, whose curling shot was pushed out by Hogg but the ball fell to Takumi Minamino who needed only to knock it over the line.

Hibernians were beginning to struggle to hold on to possession and crammed their area as the vistors took a more direct approach. Yabo ran down the right, Kreuzriegler intercepted his cross but Dabbur hit the loose ball over.

But Salzburg looked happy with their advantage and after withdrawing Minamino, Hwang and Yabo they eased the rhythm.

The only noteworthy episode after that was Berisha’s dismissal, five minutes from time, for a dangerous high-footed tackle on Soares.

As the match drew to a close, Hibernians were left chasing the game despite the introduction of Sahanek, Mbong and Degabriele.

The latter had a close range effort blocked by keeper Walke deep into added time but Hibernians’ task in the return match remains extremely laborious.