Hibs hold 0-0 in Gent and return from Belgium with a
According to Bbc.
Context
Hibernian, under the leadership of David Gray, showed maturity and resilience in Belgium, with a well-organized defense led by Warren O'Hora. The performance in the first leg leaves the team in a good position for the second leg, where the pressure will be on Gent to score away from home. The possibility of advancing to the group stage of the Europa Conference League is a significant milestone in the club's history.
Why this matters
The 0-0 draw at Gent is an encouraging result for Hibernian as they keep their hopes of progressing in the Europa Conference League alive. The Scottish team demonstrated solid defensive organization, which could be crucial in the second leg at home, where fan support could make a difference. This result also reinforces the team's confidence, as they seek to make history by reaching the group stage of the European competition.
Main conclusions
- Hibs hold 0-0 in Gent and return from Belgium with a.
- Hibernian won 0-0 at KAA Gent in qualifying for the Europa Conference League.
- 'Brilliant away performance' as Hibs leaves Belgium with buckets of belief - BBC Sport.
Hibernian produced a solid and intelligent performance in Belgium, holding on to a 0-0 win against KAA Gent that leaves the Europa Conference League tie open and tilting slightly towards the Scottish side before the final at Easter Road. In a fervent atmosphere at the Planet Group Arena, David Gray's team once again showed European maturity and left Gent with their third clean sheet in a row.
The start belonged to the Belgians, still undefeated at the start of the season and classified after beating Gothenburg in the previous rounds. The line-up coached by Rik De Mil pushed Hibs back, but rarely found space to hurt the visiting defensive line, very well led by Warren O’Hora and well supported by Jason Kerr and Jordan Obita. Raphael Sallinger had almost no work to write home about, a sign of the Scottish organization and tactical discipline.
The big moment of the night came when O’Hora was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the 11 meter mark. Owen Elding took responsibility, but Davy Roef guessed which way and held on to the ball with some high-quality defending. The Gent captain has a positive record on penalties — he was already decisive in a shoot-out with Cherkasy in the second qualifying round — and once again proved his cool. Less than two weeks after Josh Campbell converted a penalty at Ibrox to beat Rangers, it was now up to Elding to try to do it again, but the Belgian goalkeeper got the better of him.
Despite this blow, Hibernian didn't budge. The team remained compact, comfortable without the ball and capable of stopping Gent's main creation routes. In the middle, Josh Mulligan and Miguel Chaiwa multiplied in coverage and won duels, key players in limiting the danger close to Sallinger's area.
In the aftermath, David Gray highlighted the courage and discipline of the group, remembering, however, that nothing has been decided and that the tie is halfway over. In practical terms, 0-0 away from home is an excellent result to take to Edinburgh, where the support in the stands promises to push Hibs towards a great night of European football.
The second leg will be played next Thursday at Easter Road. With the tie tied and against a competent Gent, but within reach, Hibernian sees the possibility of achieving a historic feat: guaranteeing their presence in the group stage (now called the league stage) of the competition. A qualification that, in addition to prestige, would also represent a significant financial prize for the Leith club.
In the stands, Hibs fans were heard throughout the game, fueled by the enthusiasm of a European night and a day of socializing that started early in the fanzone, where the club's board also gave a sign of closeness to their fans. On the field, the team responded with maturity and left everything open for a high-tension encounter in Edinburgh. If he maintains his solidity and adds more success in the last third, his passport to Europe could even be stamped by Christmas.
What happens next
With the final being played at Easter Road, Hibernian will have the opportunity to capitalize on their defensive performance from the first leg. The team hopes to count on the massive support of its fans to overcome KAA Gent and secure a place in the group stage of the Europa Conference League. Expectations are high, and the team is motivated to turn this tie in their favor.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score of the match between Hibernian and KAA Gent?
The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
How does this draw affect the Europa Conference League tie?
The draw leaves the tie open and tilted slightly towards the Scottish side before the final at Easter Road.
Who had the chance to score a penalty goal in the game?
Owen Elding had the opportunity to score a goal from the penalty spot, but goalkeeper Davy Roef saved his attempt.
When is Hibernian's next game in the Europa Conference League?
Hibernian's next game in the Europa Conference League will be at Easter Road, but the exact date was not mentioned in the article.
How many consecutive clean sheets have Hibernian managed so far?
Hibernian have managed to keep a clean sheet in three consecutive games.