Hearts vs PAOK Salonika. Europa Conference League Qualifying Play-offs.
TynecastleAttendance17,409.
Match report as the Jambos taste defeat in their Europa Conference League play-off first leg; Lawrence Shankland's early penalty gave Hearts the perfect start, but the visitors equalised with a spot-kick of their own shortly afterwards; Andrija Zivkovic's 75th-minute strike sealed the win
Thursday 24 August 2023 23:55, UK
Hearts' hopes of reaching the Europa Conference League group stage sustained a major dent on Thursday night as they suffered a frustrating 2-1 defeat at home to Greek side PAOK in the first leg of their play-off round tie.
The Jambos made the ideal start when they went ahead through Lawrence Shankland's early penalty, but the visitors equalised with a spot-kick of their own shortly afterwards.
Hearts enjoyed the bulk of the pressure thereafter and Shankland saw a goal ruled out for offside just before Andrija Zivkovic's superb 75th-minute strike against the run of the play handed the Greeks the initiative.
The cinch Premiership side now face the formidable task of needing a victory at the hostile Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki next Thursday if they are to prolong their European run into the group stage.
Hearts made four changes to the team that started Sunday's 4-0 Viaplay Cup victory over Partick Thistle as Odel Offiah, Toby Sibbick, Calem Nieuwenhof and Alex Lowry were replaced by Nathaniel Atkinson, Stephen Kingsley, Cammy Devlin and Liam Boyce.
Backed by another packed Tynecastle crowd, the hosts started on the front foot and there were loud shouts for a penalty in the sixth minute when Kenneth Vargas fell under a challenge from Rafa Soares as he burst into the PAOK box.
Latvian referee Andris Treimanis initially was not convinced but after VAR intervened and following a lengthy check of the pitchside monitor, he pointed to the spot. Three minutes after the foul was committed, Shankland, having kept his composure amid the tension, slotted his kick into the net.
The hosts' celebrations were short-lived, however. Just two minutes after going ahead, they let the Greeks back into it when Kye Rowles chopped down Serbia forward Zivkovic in the box.
It was a clear penalty and captain Stefan Schwab duly tucked his kick beyond Zander Clark, much to the delight of the partisan 300-strong band of travelling fans.
Hearts almost regained the lead in the 31st minute when Devlin's cross into the box was glanced towards goal by the head of Shankland but goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski did superbly to claw it out. Vargas and Shankland both had attempts to force the rebound in before Boyce, who looked certain to score from six yards out on the follow-up, saw his shot blocked by Soares.
The Jambos threatened again two minutes into the second half when Kingsley flashed an angled half-volley just beyond the far post after PAOK failed to deal with Alex Cochrane's free-kick into the box.
The Edinburgh side - who lost Barrie McKay to injury just after the hour - thought they had gone ahead in the 66th minute when Shankland curled a superb finish into the top corner after being played in by Boyce just inside the box but after a VAR check, and following lengthy celebrations from the hosts, the scorer was ruled to be offside.
It proved a pivotal moment as PAOK got themselves ahead in the 75th minute when Zivkovic fired home a ferocious low strike from just outside the box after a corner kick was worked into his path, sparking wild celebrations among the visiting players and supporters.
Hearts head coach Frankie McAvoy:
"We knew it was going to be a tough game and a tight affair. It was disappointing that we scored then they got a penalty so early after it.
"Then we score with Shanks and the elation then turned to a sour note when it got chopped off. Then they score from a corner.
"As for emotions, I'm disappointed with the result but in spells I felt our shape without the ball was really good. They're a good team and they try to hit on the counter and there were some pleasing moments.
"We know what we've got to do now - we've got to win the game and I believe it's possible for us to do that. That's what we've got to look forward to in the next leg.
"We just need to make sure we're prepared as best we can for going to Greece next week knowing that we've got to go and win the game.
"I thought when we got into good areas we caused them problems. First half their keeper made a fantastic save from Shanks, so we know we'll create chances.
"I think our wide players could cause them issues. We've got a good squad. We'll deal with Dundee as best we can [in the cinch Premiership on Sunday] then really focus on what we've got to do in Greece.
"We've come a long way since myself, Steven Naismith and Gordon Forrest came in [as a management team at the end of last season] and the players have great belief in themselves.
"That's important going forward and we'll have that at the forefront of our minds when we go to Greece next week."
Hearts' next Scottish Premiership match is on Sunday away to Dundee. Kick-off 3pm.
They will then travel to Greece for the second leg of their play-off against PAOK on August 31. Kick-off 6.30pm.
