Hibs fail to reach last 32 as Cluj hold out against late onslaught

A late goal by Lucy Graham, her fourthin three qualifying group games, was not quite enough tot akeHib ernian through to the last 32 of the Uefa Women’s Champions League.

After being held to a draw by Ukrainian champions Kharkiv on Friday, Hibs needed to beat group hosts Olimpia Cluj.

Their task against aside containing nine Romanian internationalist s became much harder when they lost a goal after only five minutes.

Hibs threw everything at itin the last quarter of the game, with Graham getting a headed equaliser six minutes from time, but Cluj held on to reach the knockout stages for a fourth time.

“For all the international players they have, Cluj didn’t create many chance so ther than the goal and another good chance at the far post in the second half ,” Hibs head coach Chris Roberts pointed out.

“We’re massively disappointed because we came here with the ambition of reaching the last 32, but I’m proud of the girls.

“It was a great goal for Lucy – that was her fourth of the tournament.

“Cluj and Kharkiv are really good teams, but we’re unbeat- en in three games and scored seven goals while just conceding two.

“We’ re probably just kicking ourselves we didn’t start games a bit quicker.”

Hibshadn’ t played a competitive game since 25 June before coming into the qualifying group, and didn’t even have their full squad together until two days before travelling to Romania.

They now face a big fixture back log, starting with Sunday’s postponed SSE Scottish Women’s Cup third- round tie against Celtic.

“We have to learn from this experience ,” Roberts said, “and I believe we will become a better domestic team because of it.

“That was certainly the case after we played Bayern Munich last season.”

Hibs went behind when Alexandra Lunca lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Jenna Fife from 20 yards.

Li a Twee die nearly equalised later in the half with a shot whichbeat American goalkeeper Jillian Mcvicker but hit the bar.

Despite all their second- half efforts, Hibs had to wait until near t he end when Graham headed across the keeper following a free- kick by Siobhan Hunter.