Hibs out after 3-0 defeat

Nk Slaven Belupo 3 (Vrunica 15; D. Viskovic 76 pen; Mijatovic 89)
Hibernians 0
(S. Belupo win 4-2 on aggregate)

Hibernians bowed out of the Intertoto Cup after they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Slaven Belupo in the first round, second leg tie played in Croatia yesterday.

After winning last week's first leg at the Hibs Ground 2-1, the Paolites had rightly harboured hopes of progressing to the second round of the competition.

However, the superior Croatians had other ideas as they scored three goals without reply to win the tie 4-2 on aggregate and set up a second-round clash with Albania's KS Vllaznia who eliminated Hapoel Beer-Sheva of Israel on the away goals' rule after the two-legged tie ended 2-2.

Hibs coach Robert Gatt yesterday named the same starting formation that performed so impressively last week and that decision seemed to be yielding the ideal dividends as the Paolites showed the better ideas in the first part of the match.

However, it was Slaven Belupo who found the net in their first real goal-scoring opportunity when Vrunica planted the ball past goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

Despite this early setback, Hibernians kept playing positively and had two good chances to restore equilibrium which they failed to do until the break.

On the restart, Slaven Belupo increased the pressure on the visitors' defence, who, however, showed good composure to keep their opponents at bay. But 14 minutes from time, Slaven doubled their advantage when they were awarded a penalty after Aaron Xuereb handled the ball in his own area. Viskovic completed formalities from the spot.

Trailing by two goals to nil, the Paolites ventured forward in search of a goal that would have taken the tie to extra-time. But that failed to arrive and instead it was Slaven Belupo who sealed their qualification with a third goal from Mijatovic a minute from time.

Hibs: M. Muscat, P. Pullicino, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, R. Mintoff, A. Schembri, E. Mbong ('87 K. Spiteri), A. Mifsud ('70 K. Cassar), A. Zahra, T. Scerri, R. Baldacchino.

Referee: D. Jacimosvki (Macedonia).