Hearts hit by sucker punch

JIM REYNOLDS

5 Nov 1992

Liege, Wednesday

Standard Liege 1, Hearts 0

(Aggregate: 2-0)

IT was a question of if only for Hearts here tonight when their interest in Europe ended at the hands of a side which showed tremendous patience, something our clubs seem to find difficult to master in the big arena.

If only Hearts had shown the same determination and industry in the first leg of this UEFA Cup tie at Tynecastle a fortnight ago, when they also lost 1-0, the Belgians would not have been able to afford the confidence they displayed for much of the match in the Sclessin Stadium.

If only one of several early chances created by the Scots had gone in, Standard may have been shaken out of that confidence but as it was the Scots fell once again to a sucker punch.

Belgian international striker Marc Wilmots eased local fans' anxiety midway in the second half with a classic strike from 12 yards.

It was a joy of a match to watch between two sides of contrasting styles and although Hearts' fans can point to several near things around the Belgian goal, Standard Liege also could have scored a couple more, especially in the closing stages.

Bettagno gave Hearts an early warning when he turned inside Mauchlen and shot just over the top, then Smith did well to grab a drive from Genaux at the foot of his left-hand post.

Hearts had a flurry of activity of their own in 11 minutes when Robertson outpaced the defence and crossed low to McKinlay who had sprinted into the box.

Bodart courageously saved at the feet of the Scot.

Standard had not altered their pattern from the first leg.

They seemed content to let Hearts come at them and hit on the break and when they tried to do that in 27 minutes Millar was booked for a late tackle on Goossens.

Just before half-time the Belgians made one of their lightning attacks and Wilmots slid in only to miss a cross from the right narrowly with Smith stranded.

As the teams trooped off at the interval, Hearts could feel well pleased.

Bodart, who had been in some distress since his save from McKinlay, was replaced by Munaron for the second half and within minutes Arie Haan's remarks about Hearts being a rugby team were open to question when Cruz twice drove the ball high into the stand in desperation, then tried to do the same with little Robertson, an incident which brought no reaction from the French referee.

In 63 minutes all Hearts' good work went for nothing as Standard scored.

Millar, who had played so well, gave the ball away to Vervoort who sent a hanging cross towards the edge of the box.

Wilmots controlled it beautifully and sent his drive low and confidently past Smith.

It was a sickener for Hearts but a strike we have seen all too often going against Scottish clubs in European combat.

Hearts then sent on Snodin to replace Millar and shortly after their last chance disappeared when Robertson was clean through but shot against the keeper's legs.

STANDARD LIEGE -- Bodart, Genaux, Vervoort, Demol, Cruz, Leonard, Hellers, Bettagno, Goossens, Vanrooy, Wilmots.

Substitutes -- Munaron, Lashaf, Quaranta, Pister, Asselman.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, Levein, Mackay, Van de Ven, Robertson, D Ferguson, I Ferguson, Millar, Mauchlen.

Substitutes -- Foster, Snodin, Hogg, Walker, Bannon.

Referee -- M Leduc (France).

Taken from the Herald