Hibernians go down fighting
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Hibernians : M. Calleja Cremona, A. Agius, F. Apap. L. Almeida, Z. Grech (R. Winchester 64’), S. Shodiya, J. Grech, A. Attard (D. Vella 82’) I. Artiles, J. Degabriele, W. Teixeira (E. Uzeh 73’)
Fehervar: A. Kovacsik , Alef (M. Patkai 50’), B. Bolla, A. Fiola, L. Houri, V. Musliu, L. Nego, B. Nikolov, I. Petryak (E. Da Silva 82’), Stopira, B. Zivzivadze (N. Nikolic 88’)
Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (Bulgarija)
Scorer: B. Nikolov 61’,
Yellow cards: L. Almeida, A. Kovacsik, Stopira
Red card: S. Shodiya 92’
Hibernians bowed out of the Europa League when they were beaten by Hungarian side Fehervar by a solitary goal scored on the hour. Fehervar deserved the victory for dominating the first hour of the game. However after suffering the goal, Hibernians took the initiative dominating the last portion of the match, and were very unlucky when Degabriele hit the crossbar on 90 minutes.
Fehervar were rather dangerous in the opening phase of the match with Ukranian Petryak the most dangerous player. After three minutes his cross from the left flank was tipped by Calleja Cremona, just enough to foil Fiola who was ready to head home.
Minutes later the same Petryak missed a sitter in front of goal with the same player claiming a penalty on twelve minutes when he was pushed to the ground when about to conclude. Hibernians were pressed inside their own half in the opening quarter, but had a good patch around the 25th minute, taking a couple of dangerous corner.
On 28 minutes Hibs had a lucky escape with Apap blocking Nego’s shot on the goal line after a good run by Fiola. Alef tried his luck from a distance on 35 minutes but Calleja Cremona was well placed. Two minutes later a Hibs opportunity with Teixeira nodding down towards Degabriele but the latter’s effort was completely off target.
Fehervar increased the pressure in the second half pushing the locals inside their defensive area. On 61 minutes Fehervar broke the deadlock when Nikolov shot home from a corner action. Minutes later Petryak missed an incredible chance to seal the issue hitting wide with only Calleja Cremona to beat.
Fehervar eased the pressure and Hibernians tried to hit back, gaining some territorial ground but failing to create scoring opportunities. On 77 minutes Fehervar custodian Kovacsik had to charge out of position to block Winchester and Izqueir blasted over the bar the resultant freekick.
On 89 minutes Hibernians almost drew level with Winchester just failing to connect in front of goal following an Izqueir Artiles cross shot. Hibernians were unlucky on 90 minutes when Jurgen Degabriele’s first stimer finished against the crossbar.
In stoppage time with Hibernians pushing desperately forward, the Hibs rearguard was caught on the wrong foot with Shodiya shown the red card when he fouled Nikolic.