Hibernians-NK Gorica 0-3

Hibernians: M. Muscat, T.Fleri Soler, A. Xuereb, J. Caruana, A. Pulis, U. Edafe, J. Pearson (M. Bonnici), C. Failla (A. Mifsud), J. Xerri (T. Caruana), A. Cohen, T. Scerri

NK Gorica: V. Simcic, A. Zarifovic, S. Komel, S. Zivec, A. Krsic (D. Smitran), B. Dukic, N. Kovacevic, G. Cvijanovic, E. Demirovic, M. Osterc (M. Kovacevic), E. Velikonja (G. Galasic)

Referee: O. Hategan (Romania)

Scorers: E. Velokonja (2), G. Cvijanovic

Yellow cards: C. Failla, U. Edafe

Under the soaring heat of a typical Maltese summer at Kordin, where the referee allowed two drinking breaks during the match, local Intertoto representatives Hibernians suffered a heavy defeat in the first round first leg against NK Gorica yesterday.

Hibernians held on well against superior opponents in the first half and were rather unlucky to be a goal down, conceded in a soft matter after taking a deflection, by halftime.

But Gorica wrapped the match up early after the restart, adding two more goals in quick succession before the hour, to make the return leg almost a formality.

Hibernians lacked the physical and mental strength to outmuscle their opponents, exhibiting once again the shortcomings of our local teams against foreign opposition in these types of competitions at this time of the year. Perhaps luckily, the Intertoto competition will be scrapped by UEFA next year!

Hibernians had to organise their midfield in the absence of the suspended Pablo Doffo and Edmond Agius, who has left for Valletta.

Jonathan Pearson played in front of the four-man defence, as Jonathan Xerri took a defensive midfield role, wide on the right flank to block Komel’s runs. Failla supported Edafe in midfield where Cohen was the link man with striker Terence Scerri, isolated up front.

Ndubisi Chukunyere was named among the substitutes but he was nowhere to be seen on the bench.

Hibernians’ creativity suffered in a defensive set up but through their tactical organisation they managed to mitigate the danger their more technical opponents from Slovenia could create with their ample share of possession.

In fact for the first tepid 20 minutes, Gorica only went close with a Demirovic free kick from edge of the area and a Velikonja volley on Civijatovic’s cross.

But Hibernians created the first real threat after 22 minutes. Jonathan Xerri won possession on Komel’s erratic pass, advanced on the right and forced keeper Simcic to turn his fiery cross shot into a corner. Failla shot wide from a distance and Terence Scerri failed to put his head to Cohen’s sailing free kick.

That heralded Hibernians’ best spell in the first half. On the half hour, a through ball to Osterc nearly caught the Paola defence on the hop. Xuereb did well to block his effort into a corner.

On 34 minutes keeper Muscat brought the house down and earned the applause of the watching crowd, pulling a superb reflex save on Velikonja’s close range shot.

But as the action resumed in rather chaotic fashion inside the Hibernians’ area, the same player hit his effort against the bar, the ball took a deflection off Xuereb’s shoulder and ended over the line, for Hibernians to concede a sloppy goal indeed!

The Paolites’ reaction before halftime came on 42 minutes. Failla shot low after good work by Cohen but the goalkeeper stretched himself to save.

Gorica looked more menacing upon resumption. Muscat repelled a Krsic shot from outside the area before Osterc hit the upright with a free header on Kovacevic’s cross.

Gorica’s second goal was in the air as Hibernians’ defence tended to wilt under pressure.

On 56 minutes Goran Cvijanovic connected well on Krsic’s low cross to flick the ball past the helpless Muscat.

Hibernians suffered further derision three minutes later. Etien Velikonja was through from midfield, advanced unhindered to slot the ball past the onrushing Muscat.

Hibernians looked already dead and buried by then as their opponents started to knock the ball around with training ground easiness, even effecting all three substitutions with more than a quarter hour remaining.

Even then Hibernians failed to capitalise and when Scerri looked capable of tipping in the ball on Cohen’s perfect cross from the right, he was ruled to have fouled his marker Dukic and play was interrupted.