Bogdan the hero as Hibernian hold off Asteras Tripolis to progress in Europe

Posted Friday, August 03, 2018 by PA

Goalkeeper Adam Bogdan proved the hero as Hibernian reached the third qualifying round of the Europa League after a nail-biting 1-1 draw against Asteras Tripolis in Greece.

Bogdan produced a string of saves, one of them outstanding, as Hibs held on against 10 men to proceed 4-3 on aggregate.

John McGinn put the visitors ahead in the 43rd minute and Neil Lennon’s side looked set to see out the game after Michalis Manias was sent off three minutes into the second half.

But the Greek side were more dangerous with 10 men than 11 and Kosmas Tsilianidis levelled in the 56th minute.

The home side created a number of good chances to get the goal they needed for an away-goals success but Bogdan stood firm to set up a clash against Norwegian side Molde.

It was a night of redemption for the on-loan Liverpool player after some poor goalkeeping at Easter Road contributed to an early 2-0 lead for the Greek side, who competed in the group stages in two of the past four seasons.

Hibs set about holding on to the lead gained by a thrilling first-leg comeback and started with three central defenders. They looked comfortable after wing-back David Gray made some important early interventions inside their box and Stephen Mallan got three long-range efforts on target in the opening quarter.

The hosts came close two minutes before the opener when Tsilianidis headed against the bar from inside the six-yard box following an inswinging corner.

But the Greek side were the architects of their own downfall. Masked skipper Matias Iglesias was short with a pass and then slipped to leave Hibs with a two-on-one. Florian Kamberi supplied McGinn, who drilled an angled drive into the far corner of the net.

Hibs’ lead looked even more comfortable when Manias received his second yellow card after a late challenge on Paul Hanlon after Bogdan had saved his shot.

But Efe Ambrose handed the Greeks the initiative with a rash attempt to steal in front of Tsilianidis, who turned him and fired past Bogdan from 18 yards.

With Lennon in the stand serving the fifth and final match of his extended touchline ban, Hibs looked lost as the hosts piled on the pressure.

Bogdan made two good saves after right-back Ioannis Kotsiras twice got in behind and clawed the ball off his line in a wonderful stop from a header by substitute Anastasios Douvikas.

Hibs also had some luck when Iglesias headed wide from three yards and Bogdan survived a strong penalty claim when Douvikas went down as he tried to round the keeper, and the large travelling support celebrated the final whistle with a mixture of relief and jubilation.