Bayern end Hearts' European dream Apology gives players and fans small victory

james traynor

15 Mar 1989

SPORTS CORRS

PAGE: 32

EDITION: 2

MUNICH, Tuesday

Bayern Munich 2, Hearts 0

(Agg.

2-1)

THE dream expired amid the splendour of the Olympic Stadium here this evening.

Hearts' audacious attempt to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup was resisted and then overcome by Bayern Munich, whose smoother touch and slicker moves gave them the edge in an entertaining, but ultimately disappointing, match for the several thousand or so supporters who had made their way from Edinburgh.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, Hearts lost an early goal when Klaus Augenthaler struck in the most spectacular fashion, and they appeared to be heading for a degree of embarrassment.

However, as the gloom which accompanies defeat settles around the players, it might help them to know they did not lose their pride.

The Tynecastle side deserve applause for the manner in which they had been able to put behind them their lifeless domestic form and travel deep into European competition.

They have a few sterling performances on which they can reflect and even though Erland Johnsen's second-half goal made this evening's work unsuccessful, it was nevertheless a match which can be recalled to illustrate their determination and abilities, which are not shown often enough within the confines of the premier division.

There were spells when it seemed as though the Tynecastle side were building towards another memorable triumph, but the finishing touch always eluded them and they will reflect on several missed opportunities.

Long after the referee's whistle had pierced the night air for the final time, the Hearts supporters were still standing on the terracings singing the praises of their heroes, who were sent back out from the dressing room to thank the crowd for their support.

Although it was sad to watch Hearts pursue a cause which was sliding away, there was something to be admired in the way Bayern worked with the ball.

Their touch was delicate and accurate even though Kenny Black and Neil Berry, who have made the harassment of others their life's work, were bustling and lunging.

By the end Hearts had nothing left.

They looked forlorn and weary travellers who had wandered farther than they or anyone else had thought possible.

Celtic await them at Parkhead on Saturday in the Scottish Cup quarter-final, so they have no time to indulge in self-pity.

Should they win that one, Hearts will be only two games away from securing a return to Europe.

There is little doubt foreign work appeals to Hearts.

The players have responded repeatedly and their endeavours earned lavish praise from manager Alex MacDonald at the end."I could cry for them," he said, "and I am very proud of them.

Our performances have shown that we can go and play anywhere.

"The fans, too, have been tremendous and I feel very sorry for them.

Also, I would like to thank everyone in Scotland who has been so kind and supportive."

Even as the Hearts coach was pulling away from the stadium, the team's supporters were still on the terracings.

They deserve all the praise in the world because of the way they had stood behind their team and because of their impeccable behaviour when it had been expected that English fans, masquerading as Hearts followers, were preparing to cause trouble.

There was no evidence of any violence at or around the stadium.

Wallace Mercer, the Hearts chairman, said afterwards he hoped that the fans would continue to behave themselves, given the derogatory statements they had read about Scots in general after the first leg two weeks ago.

"I was most disappointed to read that we were accused of being players with no idea of tactics.

I hope the German press realise that if their team are to win the trophy, they will have to play better," he said.

The chairman wished them luck before Dr Fritz Scherer, Bayern's president, apologised and pointed out that none of his players or management team had said what had appeared in the papers.

So at least there was a small victory for Hearts tonight, if only off the field.

From the first moments Bayern looked capable of holding on to the ball, making Hearts stretch their legs.

But they discovered that the opposition were unwilling to play the roles of innocents abroad for too long.

Galloway, McKinlay, and Black, who would slide into trouble soon enough, all registered their presence with solid challenges.

The Edinburgh side gave their own followers something to acclaim when a swift break out of defence presented Galloway with the opportunity to square the ball across the face of Aumann's goal.

Back-up arrived too late but the chance was not lost entirely and Bannon sent the ball back to the far post, where Galloway outjumped his marker.

The referee decided the striker had used illegal means to gain elevation.

It was soon after this promising intrusion into enemy territory that bad things happened to Hearts.

First, Black was booked after having slid into Kogl and then Bayern scored with only 14 minutes on the clock.

Mackay and Pfluger tussled just inside Hearts' half, but the referee waved play on.

Augenthaler, the captain, moved forward with a ground-gobbling stride and 25 yards out he swung his right leg at the ball, which flashed through the air.

It had nestled in the net before Smith had completed his dive.

Bayern were prepared to thunder the ball towards goal from outrageous distances and Smith, leaping to his right, did remarkably well to flap away a 20-yard shot from Nachtweih.

This was Bayern's retaliation after Colquhoun had outstripped their defence in pursuit of Galloway's first-time pass out of trouble.

The winger sprinted into the penalty box, but his shot trundled wide of Aumann's right-hand post.

Colquhoun collapsed in despair.

The shoulders of Hearts fans sagged.

In the first minute of the second half Wohlfarth and Flick both squandered decent chances, but the most dangerous West Germans were those making runs from the back.

Augenthaler, Flick, and Nachtweih all found room in which to manoeuvre, but it was another defender, Johnsen, who would make the telling move later in the half.

Before then Bayern decided it was time to add greater potency up front and Ekstrom was introduced in place of Eck, but the power was evident at the other end of the pitch.

Black's cross dropped on to the head of Colquhoun and the ball was glanced wide of the keeper's reach, but against a post.

McPherson pounced on the rebound but his shot was deflected off Pflugler's torso.

The Hearts supporters suddenly were in full voice, but their exuberance subsided in 68 minutes when Reuter found himself in possession deep on the right.

His cross was not cleared properly and when the ball sat up nicely Johnsen lunged and Smith was beaten again.

Hearts now were operating with Ferguson and Robertson on for Bannon and McKinlay, but their search for an away goal was in vain.

BAYERN MUNICH -- Aumann, Nachtweih, Pflugler, Johnsen, Augenthaler, Flick, Kogl, Reuter, Wohlfarth, Eck, Wegmann.

Substitutes -- Scheuer, Ekstrom, Grahammer, Kastenmaier, Schmidt.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, Levein, Berry, McPherson, Galloway, Mackay, Colquhoun, Black, Bannon.

Substitutes -- McCloy, Ferguson, Robertson, Sandison, Kidd.

Referee -- E S Aladren (Spain).

Taken from the Herald