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Intertoto: Hibs Fall To Classy Elfsborg
Hibernian 0-2 Elfsborg
Jul 6, 2008 5:55:11 PM
SPL side Hibernian couldn’t cope with their sharper opponents, Elfsborg of Sweden, during a frustrating first leg, second round Intertoto Cup tie on Sunday.
Goals from Emir Bajrami in the first half and Andreas Augustsson after the break ensured that the sharper Swedes take a commanding lead back to the Borås Arena.
First Half
Playing their first game of the season, while other Scottish clubs are just now reporting for pre-season training, the Hibees were unprepared for Swedish international Anders Svensson (pictured), in particular, whose useful passing helped the visitors to take a lead into the interval.
The veteran was the architect of the opener, picking out starlet Emir Bajrami who slid home from close range.
Di Gule might have put the tie to bed 12 minutes later. Daniel Mobaek found himself with time and space at the back post, but tried to finish stylishly and sent the ball high over the bar on the volley.
Dean Shiels was perhaps Hibs’ busiest player and sent a forceful drive into the arms of Johan Wiland with halftime looming.
Second Half
The second period was more competitive, but it took until the hour mark for Steven Fletcher to come to life, hitting a half-volley that the ’keeper touched round the post.
However, after 64 minutes a simple corner routine doubled Elfsborg’s advantage as Magnus Haglund’s troops grabbed a second away goal.
Andreas Augustsson hit one from the edge of the area which goalie Yves Ma-Kalambay - back in after ending last season on the bench - spilled into the net.
Mixu Paatelainen, sensing that European football was already slipping from his grasp, sought more firepower and replaced winger Filipe Morais with striker Colin Nish.
It was the visitors, though, who continued to threaten and Mobaek again should have done better, screwing a great chance wide.
Sensing blood as the game wore on, Elfsborg were able to step up another gear, sparked by sub Stefan Ishizaki. Ishi’s sublime touches helped to turn the screw.
They had one more chance to kill off their hosts when Anders Avdic hit Svensson’s cross across the goalie, only to see the effort smack the face of the post.
Thus it ended. The Allsvenskan outfit, second top of the league currently, had too much for the Edinburgh men. The Intertoto hasn’t served SPL sides well and they will probably be glad to see the back of it, with the qualification competition set to be abolished after this term.
Worse than the defeat, skipper Rob Jones was forced off at half-time and the fans will hope he can recover in order to enjoy a full pre-season.
Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com
Goals from Emir Bajrami in the first half and Andreas Augustsson after the break ensured that the sharper Swedes take a commanding lead back to the Borås Arena.
First Half
Playing their first game of the season, while other Scottish clubs are just now reporting for pre-season training, the Hibees were unprepared for Swedish international Anders Svensson (pictured), in particular, whose useful passing helped the visitors to take a lead into the interval.
The veteran was the architect of the opener, picking out starlet Emir Bajrami who slid home from close range.
Di Gule might have put the tie to bed 12 minutes later. Daniel Mobaek found himself with time and space at the back post, but tried to finish stylishly and sent the ball high over the bar on the volley.
Dean Shiels was perhaps Hibs’ busiest player and sent a forceful drive into the arms of Johan Wiland with halftime looming.
Second Half
The second period was more competitive, but it took until the hour mark for Steven Fletcher to come to life, hitting a half-volley that the ’keeper touched round the post.
However, after 64 minutes a simple corner routine doubled Elfsborg’s advantage as Magnus Haglund’s troops grabbed a second away goal.
Andreas Augustsson hit one from the edge of the area which goalie Yves Ma-Kalambay - back in after ending last season on the bench - spilled into the net.
Mixu Paatelainen, sensing that European football was already slipping from his grasp, sought more firepower and replaced winger Filipe Morais with striker Colin Nish.
It was the visitors, though, who continued to threaten and Mobaek again should have done better, screwing a great chance wide.
Sensing blood as the game wore on, Elfsborg were able to step up another gear, sparked by sub Stefan Ishizaki. Ishi’s sublime touches helped to turn the screw.
They had one more chance to kill off their hosts when Anders Avdic hit Svensson’s cross across the goalie, only to see the effort smack the face of the post.
Thus it ended. The Allsvenskan outfit, second top of the league currently, had too much for the Edinburgh men. The Intertoto hasn’t served SPL sides well and they will probably be glad to see the back of it, with the qualification competition set to be abolished after this term.
Worse than the defeat, skipper Rob Jones was forced off at half-time and the fans will hope he can recover in order to enjoy a full pre-season.
Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com
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