Ten-man Hibernians shock Vaduz to secure place in second qualifying round

Thanks to a brace by Jurgen Degabriele, Hibernians shocked FC Vaduz in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, beating them 2-0 at the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz on Thursday.

Hibs therefore move on to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, scheduled for September 17 with the draws due to be held on Monday.

The Paolites had Leandro Almeida, Zachary Grech, Shola Shodiya and Jose Wilkson Teixeira making their debut along with Rundell Winchester who was included as a substitute. Ferdinando Apap was ruled out through suspension.

Hibs managed to take the lead on the 34th minute when off an Ayrton Attard corner from the left, Kristensen’s header from the right was blocked by the Vaduz rear-guard and off the rebound, Jurgen Degabriele’s conclusion was deflected past goalkeeper Büchel.

Twelve minutes in the second half, Hibernians doubled the score. Jurgen Degabriele exchanged the ball with Kristensen on the left and the goalkeeper failed to neutralise with the young striker slotting the ball from a close angle.

Bjorn Kristensen was sent off for the Paolites on the 64th minute but Stefano Sanderra’s boys held on to the result to take home a precious win.

VADUZ Benjamin Büchel, Simani, Manuel Sutter, Mohamed Coulibaly, Tunahan Cicek, Yannick Schmid, Pius Dorn (75′ Matteo Di Giusto), Sandro Wieser, Cedric Gasser, Sebastian Santin (67′ Nico Hug), Gabriel Lüchinger (67′ Milinceanu).

HIBS Matthew Calleja Cremona, Leandro Almeida, Ayrton Attard (70′ Edafe Uzeh), Jake Grech, Jurgen Degabriele, Bjorn Kristensen, Zachary Grech, Gabriel Izquier Artiles, Shola Shodiya (75′ Timothy Tabone Desira), Andrei Agius, Jose Wilkson Teixeira (63′ Rundell Winchester).

Referee: Luis Teixeira (POR)