HEARTS 2 FC INFONET 1
ACCORDING to the official match attendance, a grand total of two FC Infonet fans were tucked away within the 14,417 crowd that witnessed the first European match at Tynecastle in four years.
This daring duo departed on the homeward journey to Estonia in defeat, but without any great despondency. Hearts still have plentiful work to do to ensure their return to continental action is not painfully short-lived.
A competitive start in June creates complexities, especially when the opponent is already very much up and running in their home environment.
For all that his side emerged from this Europa League firstround first-leg tie with a slender advantage, Robbie Neilson will hope this rust-removing 90 minutes leads to a shinier performance in Tallinn next Wednesday afternoon.
Infonet were the better team during the first quarter, taking a merited lead through Jegveni Harin. Hearts appeared fragile. Tynecastle feared the worst.
But the visitors — with several experienced internationals — then showed a flair for selfdestruction that was warmly welcomed by their hosts.
A penalty, converted by Prince Buaben, was added to by an own goal from captain Andrei Kalimullin ahead of the interval. It was an advantage maintained until the end, even if there was little opportunity for it to grow into a more comfortable lead.
‘These games are always difficult,’ said Neilson. ‘When we saw them, we looked at the CVs — they’re a good team, guys with 100 caps. They have good players who have played at decent levels so we knew it would be tough. We’ve got a lot of guys who haven’t played any European football.
‘The fitness aspect made it twice as hard. We looked rusty in the first half hour. It’s the first 90 minutes of competitive action our guys have had. In six days’ time, they’ll be in better condition. I expect it to be tough out there but we’re in the driving seat. We don’t need to score if they don’t but if we can score the first goal it keeps us in control.’
At first glance, the Estonian set-up suggested they had arrived solely with the intention of inducing frustration. Five at the back, four across midfield, with Harin breaking from the left to try to support the occasionally lonely-looking figure of Vladimir Voskoboinikov.
Yet, that initial impression proved deceptive. Yes, Infonet were compact in the areas where it was needed, but there was also a sharpness about them whenever they broke forward.
The benefits of being 17 games into the domestic season, where they sit second in the league, were being played out before our eyes during the initial exchanges. It meant Hearts endured far more anxiety than an expectant Tynecastle crowd would have predicted.
Infonet gained a reward for their superiority, their 21st-minute goal worthy of continental competition. Space was engineered for Dmitri Kruglov to cross from the left, with Harin sending a first-time, mid-air finish beyond Jack Hamilton.
But Neilson’s side levelled in the 28th minute when Vladimir Avilov was judged to have handled a dinked pass from Juanma in the penalty area, with Buaben converting.
Eight minutes later, the Estonians conspired to allow Hearts a half-time lead. Jamie Walker’s corner came through to Callum Paterson beyond the far post. The right-back sent the ball through the six-yard box and Kalimullin knocked into his own net.
Uncertainty remained a factor in the Tynecastle defence after the break, but a third goal would have changed that feeling, and Hearts were finding it tough to make serious inroads. The partnership between Connor Sammon and Juanma was not one that instantly blossomed.
Neilson left it until the 64th minute before replacing the Spaniard with Billy King, who spent a portion of last season on loan at Rangers.
A deflected free-kick from Alim Ozturk provided a flicker of threat — and a first corner of the second half — before Infonet responded. Harin’s attempt to whip a shot into the net might well have proved fruitful had Souttar not slid in to divert it over.