Hibernian 0-2 Elfsborg: Hibs' InterToto hopes hang by a thread

HIBS' InterToto Cup hopes were hanging by a thread tonight after they were beaten 2-0 by Swedish side IF Elfsborg at Easter Road.

Elfsborg, as expected from a side sitting second in the Allsvenskan, beaten just once in 12 matches, looked just too sharp for a Hibs side playing their first game of the season. Given the Swedish side have conceded just three goals in all those games, it's hard to imagine Mixu Paatelainen's side doing so in one match.

Emir Bajrami opened the scoring after just 17 minutes and although Elfsborg had opportunities to add to that lead, they had to wait until Andreas Augustsson's shot was deflected past Yves Ma-Kalambay in the 64th minute to ensure the tie was all but over ahead of next weekend's return leg in the Boras Arena.

There was a scare for Hibs within the opening three minutes, Daniel Mobaeck's darting run forcing Yves Ma-Kalambay t dive at his feet to prevent the Elfsborg midfielder scoring.

Hibs hit back, Steven Fletcher powering a header from a Dean Shiels' cross over before the Swedish side took the lead in the 17th minute. Dangerman Anders Svensson picked up Bajrami's run with a delightful pass delivered by the outside of his right boot. The angle was tight but Bajrami slotted the ball beyond Ma-Kalambay and into the far corner of the net.

Losing such an early goal was exactly what Hibs didn't want and it took a good tackle from skipper Rob Jones to halt Mobaeck as he threatened to waltz though the home defence.

But Hibs almost equalised in the 23rd minute thanks to great work from Shiels who provided an inviting cut-back for Filipe Morais to drive in a low shot which thumped off the outstretched left boot of Elfsborg goalkeeper Johan Wiland.

Elfsborg should have doubled their lead six minutes later with Svensson again the provider, chipping the ball beyond Jones for the inrushing Mobaeck who sliced his shot well wide.

However, as half-time approached it was Hibs who managed to mount a period of sustained pressure, Fletcher firing in a weak free-kick before Wiland took a rising shot from Shiels above his head and John Rankin sent a looping header over the bar.

Elfsborg resumed after the interval clearly intent on getting the second goal which would all but end the tie before next Saturday's return leg in Boras and they almost got it in the 51st minute as Denni Avdic got on the end of Bajrami's pass only to find his effort deflected wide by the backtracking Paul Hanlon.

Ma-Kalambay had to go down at the feet of Bajrami before Augustsson powered in a header which was nodded off his own line by Rankin who had been stationed at his goalkeeper's right-hand post.

Hibs hadn't overworked Wiland but the Swedish goalkeeper had to look sharp in getting down to his left to push away a low shot which was threatening to creep inside the post.

Hibs hopes were dealt a savage blow, however, when Elfsborg doubled their lead in the 64th minute, a goal which owed much to a huge slice of luck. Bajrami's low corner found Augustsson lurking at the edge of the penalty area and he fired in a show which appeared to take a deflection off a Hibs player as Ma-Kalambay was left flat-footed.

Avdic went close to making it three for Elfsborg in additional time, his low shot beating Ma-Kalambay but clipping the outside of the far post.

Hibs: Ma-Kalambay, Van Zanten, Hogg, Jones (Canning 46), Hanlon, Morais (Nish 71), Kerr (Chisholm 55), Murray, Rankin, Shiels, Fletcher. Subs not used: McNeil, Stevenson, O'Brien, Campbell.

IF Elfsborg: Wiland, Floren, Augustsson, Lucic, Karlsson, Andersson, Svensson, Mobaeck, Danielsson, Avdic, Bajrami (Ishizaki 73).Subs not used: Hassan, Sjoberg, Sjohage, Nordmark, Kurbegovic.

Referee: Albert Toussaint (Luxembourg).